& 



THE BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER. 697 



careful curiosity. The Cormorants begin to shift uneasily upon their nests, 

 while disengaged members of their company join the increasing ranks of 

 scouts. Marauders are not so little known tliat the approach of mysterious 

 strangers can be regarded calmly. 



But the official greeting of the motley host is extended bv the Black 

 Oyster-catcher, the self-constituted guardian of all sea-girt rocks. He has had 

 his eye upon us from the moment of launching, and when we are within a 

 hundred yards, mindful of his brooding mate or the secreted babies, he flies 

 straight out to meet us and quavers a boisterous welcome, a welcome wherein 

 anxiety is veiled bv effusiveness. His effusiveness, moreover, is n<-)t unmineled 

 with sarcasm, as who should say, "Good morning, gentlemen, good morning. 

 Ah, you are officers of the law, I perceive, and armed with a search warrant. 

 Quite proper, quite proper! Help yourselves, gentlemen. H I can be of anv 

 assistance to your worthy cause, command me." 



And so the garrulous old marshal goes back shouting and chuckling. 

 Once out of sight behind the rock, he repeats hurried instructions to his chil- 

 dren to remain hidden in their crevices; then, ever mindful of a])pearances, he 

 hurries forward again, beaming with A-irtuous importance, and vociferating 

 shrilly. "No, gentlemen, there is nothing the matter. I Iiave been clear around 

 the island and there isn't a thief in sight. But help yourselves, gentlemen. 

 Oil, yes, help }'ourselves. Doubtless yoii are experts." 



Anon, liinllums! We are very nnicli occupied just now with the i)roI)lem 

 of landing. Our island is nearly surrounded by rocky shoulders which are 

 covered only at highest tide, and upon one of these, on the lee side, we hope 

 to disembark. Ali)eit there is little breeze, tliere is a heavy swell running, and 

 the Indians scull cautiously as we draw near. Just as we prepare to leap ashore 

 with the cameras we are swiftly u])lxirne by a quartering sea. 'AVass !" (don't 

 do it ) the stern.sman cries sharply, and we crouch in terror as the canoe seems 

 about to be dashed in pieces upon the flooded reef. But the boat just clears in 

 the recoil and we go down, down, wliile a swift pageant of mussels, barnacles, 

 sea-urchins, and bright-hued anemones shoots past us, sputtering and choking 

 at the sudden exposure to air. When we do effect a landing, we nurst scuttle 

 for safety before the next wave reaches, with a dull chug of satisfaction, our 

 recent landing-place. 



The lower levels of the bird-rock are sacred to the Oyster-catchers, and 

 these engage our attention at once. Very diA-erting creatures thev are at any 

 time, but never more .so than at close f|uarters. As large as domestic fowls, 

 with sooty black plumage, they are provided with stout feet and legs of a pale 

 flesh color, and a strong chisel-shaped bill (if a bright vermilion hue. The 

 yellow eyes are surrounded by rings of carmine, which impart a droll ajjpear- 

 ance to these wags in feathers: and in the midst of most earnest floods of 

 bombast, they cannot forbear tipping you sly winks, like auctioneers. 



