340 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
opening oysters, mussels, and other shell-fish left on the shore by the 
receding tide. Few things are more interesting than to see them 
hovering over the retiring water, alternately advancing and retreating 
with the waves. As their toes are united at the base by a web or 
membrane, they possess the power of resting on the water, although 
they do not actually swim. This they make use of by allowing them- 
selves every now and then to be carried to some distance from the 
shore by the receding waves. They fly well, and can run with the 
greatest ease. Numerous flocks of them are fcund on almost every 
sea-coast on the globe, making the neighbourhood re-echo with their 
shrill cries. 
In the breeding season they pair off; the female birds lay from 
Fig 138.—Common Oyster-catcher, 
two to four eggs, either in holes carelessly scratched out on the strand, 
in clefts of the rocks, or even sometimes in meadows. et 
They assemble in considerable flocks for the purpose of migration, 
—if that term may be applied to the short journeys which they annually 
undertake. 
There are three or four species of this family, only one of which, 
— 
> 
our Common Oyster-catcher (Hematopus ostralegus, Fig. 1 38), is a ; 
native of Europe. The plumage of the latter is white and black, ~ 
. . a 
which, joined to its noisy habits, has obtained for it the nickname of — 
Sea Magpie. Its bill and feet are of a beautiful red colour ; hence 
the name of Hematopus (feet the colour of blood) was given by — 
Linnzeus to the whole genus, when the other varieties of it were yet 
unknown. It is found at all seasons on most of our coasts. As an 
article of food it is not at all desirable. 
