OYSTER CATCHER. 



HCEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. 



Family Charadriid^. Genus Hcematopus. 



Sea-pie — Olive — Shelder — Pied Oyster Catcher. 



The Oyster Catcher is a resident bird with us, but 

 numbers also arrive for the winter from Europe. 

 When migrating they fly in the shape of a huge V, 

 one bird leading the way. It is essentially a coast 

 bird, yet it is often found on the shores of large rivers 

 and lakes and occasionally in other inland localities. 

 It prefers the rocky and unfrequented coasts, and in 

 other parts is rare. On the coast of Norfolk it is a 

 common bird, and the higher North we go the more 

 abundant does it become. 



The Oyster Catcher is a sociable bird, and they are 

 often seen in small parties on the beach. They breed 

 too in numbers close together, and also in the neigh- 

 bourhood of gulls and other sea-birds, though not in 

 the same situation. 



The Oyster Catcher has been provided by nature 

 with a wonderfully suitable bill for procuring its food. 



