OYSTER-CATCHERS 



271 



Should we seek out the loneliest of the harren 

 beaches or bars of ijlistering; sand which are so 

 characteristic of the coasts of the southern 

 States, here and there at considerable intervals 

 \ve are likely to meet scattered pairs of a rather 

 large shore bird, very consjiicuous from its Ijlack 

 and white plumage. With high-power binoculars 

 we can see their large liright-red bills, though 

 they are so very shy that we coukl hardly dis- 

 tinguish this last feature without such aid. 

 They are Oyster-catchers, birds which literally 

 carry about with them each its oyster-knife, in 

 order to be able to feed upon the oysters, mussels, 

 clams, or other shell-fish which they encounter. 

 Locally they are sometimes called " Sea-Cro\ys " 

 by the fishermen, which is not an inapt descrip- 

 tive title, though their notes, which are clarion 

 flute-like calls, are certainly more melodious than 

 crow-talk. 



Though they are often seen upon the more re- 

 tired beaches of the mainland, the real type 

 location is the little " sea island," of very small 

 and low' degree, which at high tide is a mere 

 little strip of white sand, with areas of shell cast 

 up by the sea. This is where, the year around, 

 we may find the curious birds and from April to 

 June their nests. Really it seems almost like 

 pleasantry to imply that they ever have a real 

 nest. To provide such homes for its eggs, all the 

 bird needs to do is to squat on the sand, turn 

 around a few times, and there will be found as 



godil .1 haliitation as it e\er cares to occupy. In 

 more \\a\'s than one is this home insecure, for it 

 requires hut a sudden hca\y squall or storm to 

 raise the water level and drive the waves o\er the 

 low bar. The water may be over it but a short 

 time, yet the mischief is done. This and other 

 liirds of the sea nc\cr appear to claim their eggs 



Urawmt; by R. B. Horslail Cuurttsy of Nit AsbJ Aud. Soc. 

 OYSTER-CATCHERS AT HOME 



or to make any effort to save them after they 

 have once been floated off even for a short 

 distance. 



Possibly the prodigal parents may not think the 

 eggs worth saving, so small is their number. Two 

 eggs is the clutch I have always found, though 

 sometimes they are said to have three. Where 



Drawing by R. I. Brasher 



:^(5^-;;^^^ -. 



OYSTER-CATCHER (J nat. size) 

 Each carries with him his own oyster-knife 



