Family CHARADRIIDAE. 



Haematopus ostralegus (L.) — Oyster-Catcher. 



(Plate 135, fig. a-d). 

 (Siiouckaert : Avifauna Neerlanclica, p. 92, No. 217). 



Colour of surface of shell : 



Colour of spots: 



Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell : 

 Texture of shell: 

 Shape : 

 Nest and its site: 



Number of eggs: 



Breeding season: 

 Duration of incubation : 

 Remark: 



olive or rusty yellow, in various — mostly 

 light — shades; sometimes slightly greenish. 



rusty brown; blackish brown; underlying 

 spots show through ash-grey. 



55.3 X 39.6 millimetres. 



3.25 grams. 



rather coarsely granulated. 



ovoidal. 



on the ground in a slight hollow which 

 sometimes contains a few stalks, reeds, 

 small stones and shells; among stones 

 without any intervening layer. 



3—4 (in Texel, e. g., 4 as a rule; a few late 

 sets 3). 



beginning of May, June. 



fully 3 weeks. 



eggs with an abnormal lime shell anil mar- 

 king are known in Texel by the naiue of 

 „hotkoleieren". 



