Guardian Angels sometimes extend their protection beyond the human genus. One was watching over a "Peet-weet" that I tried to "collect" with stones, when I was about ten years old. I had plenty of "good shots" as the bird evidently had a nest nearby and merely flew a few yards when a missile came too close. The trim and dainty SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are an enlivening feature of nearly every inland pool or waterway and their "skimmer" flight is familiar to all. They never flock altho five or six often are encountered in late Summer but they are members of the family not yet on their own.

They are capable of short swims under water, using wings for propulsion, and sometimes evade Hawks by diving. It is said to be able to rise from water directly into flight. I have never seen this done: all swimming birds noted have reached land before taking wing. Altho they usually employ the skimming flight with quivering wingbeats a few inches above the water, this is changed to a swift direct aerial progress when a distant journey is undertaken. They are a charming feature of our lakes and rivers. Long may they peet-weet!