156 ILEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. 



and walk with ease in soft muddy places, their short, flat- 

 soled toes being well adapted for both purposes. Limpets 

 and balani form their chief food ; but, although they have 

 been said by many to eat oysters and other large bivalve 

 mollusca, I have not found such animals in their stomach. 

 The bivalve shells found in their gizzard or oesophagus are 

 generally, when of small size, either entire or merely crushed, 

 but when large are deprived, in a greater or less degree, of 

 their testaceous envelopes. Along with their food they 

 swallow particles of gravel, frequently of considerable size : 

 I have found some a quarter of an inch in diameter. In 

 searching for food they usually keep by themselves, although 

 they sometimes allow the Curlew, Turnstone, and Redshanks 

 to mingle with them ; and in their flights they are very 

 seldom accompanied by other species. When it is high 

 water, they betake themselves in flocks to the rocky head- 

 lands, or to islands, sometimes also to an unfrequented part 

 of an extensive sandy beach, where they rest until the re- 

 tiring tide has left their feeding grounds exposed. 



While reposing, the Sea Pie stands with its legs quite 

 straight, or uses one leg only, the other being drawn up, the 

 body horizontal, the neck retracted, the head either directed 

 forward, or with the bill buried among the feathers of the 

 back. In this position they present a curious appearance 

 when there is a high wind, as in that case each individual 

 directs his breast toward it, and on a sandy beach or level 

 shore they often stretch out in long lines. When going to 

 sleep, however, it rests on one leg only. In open sandy 

 places, I have seen the flocks crouch. Its flight is strong 

 and steady, performed by regular beats of the extended 

 wings, the neck drawn in and the feet directed backwards, 

 as in the other Grallse. At all seasons it is very shy and 

 vigilant, seldom permitting one to approach within shooting 

 distance, and with its shrill cries alarming less wary birds. 

 Its alarm note is a single shrill scream, but on some occasions 

 it emits a modulated softened cry of several notes. When 

 wounded so as to be unable to fly, it readily betakes itself to 

 the water, and swims off, sitting light, and moving with 

 considerable speed. 



