. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Red-backed Sandpiper seldom suffices to teach its lesson of caution, and they are back again the next minute to look after their comrades, and to invite repeated slaughter. Suckley tells of an army officer of his acquaintance who once tumbled nine- ty-six birds at a single discharge of his fowling piece. It is, perhaps, need- less to add that there ar'n't enough birds to go around at that rate. A photographer comes to believe that this species
. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Red-backed Sandpiper seldom suffices to teach its lesson of caution, and they are back again the next minute to look after their comrades, and to invite repeated slaughter. Suckley tells of an army officer of his acquaintance who once tumbled nine- ty-six birds at a single discharge of his fowling piece. It is, perhaps, need- less to add that there ar'n't enough birds to go around at that rate. A photographer comes to believe that this species is warier than most of its near relatives. Anyway, it was the last one of thirty to fall victim to my camera at Santa Barbara. Partly for that reason, and partly because Sandpipers are not on dress parade in winter anyhow, the writer has to confess a dearth of first-hand information regarding the species, and he finds only the most matter-of-fact and, therefore, least informing references to it in Californian literature. It is only those who have been privileged to follow some of our lesser visitors to their northland homes who feel the impact and flavor of their distinguishing personalities. Chief among this privileged class is Mr. E. W. Nelson, who, writing from St. Michaels in the late Seventies, says of these birds: "Soon after they arrive in spring they are engaged in pairing, and the male may be seen upon quivering wing flying after the female and uttering a musical, trilling note, which falls upon the ear like the mellow tinkle of large water-drops falling rapidly into a partly filled vessel. Imagine the sounds thus produced by the water run together into a steady and rapid trill some five or ten seconds in length, and the note of this Sandpiper is represented. It is not loud, but has a rich, full tone difficult to describe, but pleasant to hear among the discordant notes of the various water-fowl whose hoarse cries arise on all sides. As the lover's suit approaches
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Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1923
