488 BIRDS—SCOLOPACIDAl. 
The Spotted Sandpiper, generally known by the vernacular name of 
‘‘ Peet-weet ” or ‘‘ Teater-tail,” in allusion to its frequent note or curious 
motion, is the most abundant summer resident of its tribe from April to 
October. Industrious and noisy, it frequents sandy shores, retiring 
usually to the shelter of high weeds under which it constructs its nest. Its 
flight, owing to the changed proportion of wings and tail, differs from 
that of any other of our Sandpipers, being slower and more laborious. 
It usually takes its course horizontally above the water, moving in 
straight lines or gentle curves, with frequent vaccillating strokes of 
wings. Oftener than other birds of the family it isseen mounted on a rail 
fence, prostrate log or dead limb, where its singular attitude and motions 
arouse the risible sympathy of the spectator. Dr. Coues (Birds N. W., p. 
500), thus describes its habits: 
“‘ As often as the Tip-up or ‘‘ Teoter-tail,” as it is also called, stops inits pursuit of in- 
sects, the fore part of the body is lowered a little, the head drawn in, the legs slightly 
bent, whilst the hinder parts and tail are alternately hoisted with a peculiar jerk, and 
drawn down again, with the regularity of clock-work. The movement is more conspic- 
uous in the upward than in the downward part of the performance; as if the tail were 
sprinz-hinged, in constant danger of flying up, and needing constant presence of mind 
to keep it down. It is amusing to see an old male in the breeding season busy with 
this operation. Upon some rock jatting out of the water he stands, swelling with am- 
orous pride and self-sufficiency, puffing out his plumage till he looks twice as big a 
natural, facing about on his narrow pedestal, and bowing with his hinder parts to all 
points of the compass. A sensitive and fastidious person might see something derisive, 
if not actually insulting, ia this, and feel as Crusoe may be presumed to have felt when 
the savages who attacked his ship in canoes showed the signs of contumaceous scorn that 
DeFoe records. But it would not be worth while to feel offended, since that is only the 
entirely original and peculiar way the Tip-up has of conducting his courtships. Orni- 
thologists are not agreed upon the useful purpose subserved in this way, and have as 
yet failed to account for the extraordinary performance.” 
The nest of the Spotted Sandpiper, as above said, is usually built in 
the shelter of high weeds on a sandy island or border of a cultivated field 
or meadow near water. It consists of a few dead leaves, lining a slight 
depression. The eggs are four, of a creamy or clay-colored ground, blotched 
with blackish-brown. 
Genus PHILOMACHUS. Moehring. 
Bill nearly straight, grooved nearly to the tip, as long as the head. Gape extending 
@ little further back than culmen; feathers of lower mandible extending further forward 
than on upper, those of chin still farther. Legs slender, tarsus longer than middle toe, 
Outer and middle toes webbed, inner toe cleft. Tail rather long, barred. 
