Genus HAAMATOPUS.

Gen. Cuar. Bill longer than the head, straight, strong, the point much compressed, forming
a wedge; culmen of the anterior part slightly convex ; upper mandible with a broad
lateral groove extending one half the length of the bill; mandibles nearly equal and
having their tips truncated. _Nostrils_ basal, lateral, linear, pierced in the membrane of
the mandibular groove. Legs of mean length, naked for a short space above the tarsal
joint. = Tarsz strong. eet three-toed ; all the toes directed forward, and united at their
base by a membrane. Nails strong, broad, slightly faleate, and semi-acute. Wings of

mean length, with the first quill-feather the longest.

OYSTER-CATCHER.
Hzematopus ostralegus, Linn.

La Huiterier pie.

Tue only species of this widely diffused but restricted genus which can claim to be considered as Kuropean is
the bird before us, and we have every reason to regard it as indigenous, not only in the British Isles, but
throughout the whole of the Continent. The localities to which it gives preference are the low muddy shores
bordering the sea, salt marshes, and inland saline lakes. |The whole of its actions are characterized by con-
siderable liveliness and spirit: it runs along the level sands with great swiftness, nor is it less distinguished
for its sweeping velocity when on the wing ; in addition to which it swims with ease and address, although it
does not habitually take to the water : indeed, it is only when wading far from the shore, and finding itself out
of its depth, that it resorts to the expedient of swimming to effect its return. Its robust and powerful frame
admirably adapts it for the efficient use of its strong hard bill in obtaining its prey, such as limpets (which
require considerable force to detach them from the stones), bivalves, crustacea, and marine worms. As its
name implies, it is said to be extremely dexterous in opening the shells of oysters in order to obtain the
animal within, which is known to be a favourite article of its food.

In winter the Oyster-catcher is gregarious, assembling together in considerable flocks, which separate on the
approach of spring, when each pair retires to its peculiar breeding-station.

It is very common in Lincolnshire, Norfolk, and all parts of our coast where a marshy stripe of land borders a
long sandy beach, among the shingles of which it deposits its eggs, which are four in number, of a light olive
colour blotched and otherwise marked with black. While the female is engaged in the task of incubation,
the male keeps assiduous watch, and gives notice of the approach of danger by a sharp and peculiar kind of
whistling cry. The young quit the nest on the day of their exclusion from the ege, and are assiduously at-
tended by the parents, which continually sweep round any intruder, and assail him with loud cries. The young
attain at an early age the adult livery, without undergoing any intermediate gradations of plumage.

The sexes are alike in their outward appearance, and the only difference in their summer and winter dress
consists in the presence of a white crescent-shaped mark half round the throat during the latter season.

The bill is reddish orange at the base, becoming lighter at the tip; the legs orange red ; irides crimson ;
the whole of the plumage is black, with the exception of the rump, a band across the base of the quills, and
the under surface, which are pure white.

The Plate represents an adult male in the summer plumage, of the natural size.

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