OYSTER-CATCHERS. 11 



grey edged with whitish. This last stage of plumage constitutes the H. mexicor- 

 nus o(Bris3os. v. p. 36. sp. 2. 



The Stilt, though rare and accidental in its visits in the colder 

 climates, is not uncommon in eastern Europe, along the borders of 

 lakes in Hungary, and in the interior of Asia, where, as well as in 

 Mexico and Brazil, and sometimes in Germany and France, it is 

 known to pass the period of reproduction. In Egypt, where it 

 arrives in October, it probably passes the winter. According to 

 Temminck it was known to nest in the marshes near Abbeville in 

 1818, but their general resort for breeding is in the vast saline 

 marshes of Hungary and Russia. Being a native of regions so con- 

 tiguous to the southern limits of the United States, there is little 

 doubt but that it visits the whole shores of the Mexican Gulph. Its 

 habits are altogether maritime, and it is said to feed on the spawn 

 of fish, tadpoles, gnats, flies and other aquatic insects. The legs of 

 this bird are remarkably slender, and longer, perhaps in proportion, 

 than in any other known bird, it consequently staggers and reels in 

 its gait, while balancing itself on its stilt-like legs. 



The length of this species, from the point of the bill to the extremity of the tail, 

 is about 15 inches, and from the same to the claws nearly 20 inches. Face, neck, 

 breast, and all the lower parts pure white ; this white takes a slight rosaceous tint 

 on the breast and belly. Nape and hind head black, or blackish, with white spots. 

 Back and wings black, with greenish reflections. Tail cinereous. Bill black. 

 Iris carmine j and the feet vermilion red. 



OYSTER-CATCHERS. (H^matopus. Lin.) 



In these the bill is long, robust, straight, and compressed, more 

 particularly towards the point where it is bevelled off like a pair of 

 scissors. Nostrils lateral, longitudinally cleft in the groove of the 

 bill. Feet strong and muscular, the 3 toes directed forward, with 

 the middle toe united to the outer by a membrane as far as the first 

 articulation, and to the interior by a small rudiment ; the toes them- 

 selves also bordered by a rudimental membrane. Wings of moderate 

 size ; the 1st quill longest. 



The Oyster-Catchers dwell exclusively along the borders of the 

 sea, frequenting beeches and sandy shores, where they are seen to 

 follow the waves, in quest of the marine insects, which they bear to 

 the strand. They assemble in great flocks to undertake their migra- 



