ZOOLOGY. .109 



position, the bird is able to cover them more effectually, 

 H hilst incubating. The flesh of all is excellent. 



2. Cusorius. Courser. Bill round, incurrated near the 

 tip, pointed; gape large ; tongue sharp : nostrils ovate; 

 feet and toes as in the last genus ; with which it agrees 

 in habits, &c., and has only recently been separated from 

 that genus, on account of the difference in the struc- 

 ture of their bills. 



The only species has been occasionally found in this 

 country. 



13. Hocmatopus. Oyster-catcher. Bill long, compress- 

 ed, wedge-shaped at the tip ; nostrils \iaea.r ; tongue 

 triangular, about one third the length of the bill ; feet 

 three toed ; the outer toe connected by a membrane to 

 the middle one, as far as the first joint. 



Frequents the sea-shores, and salt-water inlets, feeds on 

 shell fish, particularly limpets, wliich it detaches from stones 

 by insinuating its wedge-like bill under the edges of the shell, 

 or by a sudden blow with its bill, which often perforates the 

 shell, and it then devours the animal at its leisure ; it 

 derives its name of Oyster-catcher, from its devouring those 

 in common with most other kinds of bivalve testaceous ani- 

 mals ; the instant it perceives the Oyster opening its shell, 

 it thrusts in its bill (the point of which is hard and very 

 sharp,) and draws out the animal. There is one native 

 species, British Ornithology, vol. 1. 



