BIRDS FOUND ALONG THE BEACHES 81 



287. BLACK OYSTKR-CATCHER. — Hcematopus 



bachmaiii. 



Family : The Oyster-catchers. 



Length: 17.00. 



Adults: He.id and neck bluish black, rest of plumage rusty black ; bill 



chisel-shaped and red ; feet and legs rod. 

 Young: General color more brownish. 

 Downy Young : Head, neck, and upper parts sooty brown ; the down 



tipped with rusty ; under parts black. 

 Geographical Distribution : Pacific coast of North America from Lower 



California to the Aleutian Islands. 

 Breeding Range: Breeds nearly throughout its habitat. 

 Breeding Season: June. 



Nest : The bare ground of the beach or the shale. 

 Eggs: 1 to 3 ; olive, spotted with umber and puri>lish grav. Size 



2.20 X 1.52. 



The Oyster-catcher family inchides ten species, mostly 

 found in the tropics ; but three species are found in 

 North America, and two occur in California. While 

 found all along the coast of California, they are especially 

 partial to rocky portions and islands, and are not usually 

 seen on the sand beaches. Their feeding grounds arc 

 the outer bars, beaches, and rocks, where they search for 

 clams, muscles, and oysters exposed by the fall of tlie 

 tide. The strong shells of these inollusks tiie birds pry 

 open with their bills. Oyster-catchers are abundant 

 along the rocky coast at La JoHa, but I have never 

 found any breeding there. Mr. Anthony found them 

 breeding on the rocky islands close to the coast, the 

 eggs having been laid on the bare rocks, usually but 

 a few feet above hi^h water, and close to the edj^e. All 

 about them were empty shells of limpets brought there 



6 



