CHARADRIID^E. 



CIIARADEIID.f'J. 



H^MATOPUS osTRALEGus, Liniiaeus.* 

 THE OYSTER-CATCHER, 



OR SEA-PIE. 



Hamatopiis ostralegus. 



H^MATOPUS, Linnceus'^:- — Beak longer than the head, straight, strong, tlie 

 point much compresseil, forming a wedge ; culmen of the anterior part slightly 

 convex ; upper mandible with a broad lateral groove, extending one-lialf the 

 length of the bill ; mandibles nearly equal in size and length, -with the thin ends 

 truncated. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pierced in the membrane of the 

 mandibular groove. Legs of moderate length, naked for a short space above the 

 tarsal joint ; tarsi strong. Feet with three toes only, all directed forward, 

 united at their base by a membrane; claws strong, broad, not very much 

 pointed. 



* Htemaiopus Oslndcgus, Linnaus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 257 (1766). 

 t Joe. cii. 



