THE PIED OYSTER-CATCHER. 109 



«n experienced sportsman, who, nevertheless, was unao 

 quainted with this bird. He informed me, that two very 

 old men to whom it was shown, called it a Hagdel. Ha 

 adds, " It was shot from a flock, which was first discovered 

 on the beach near the entrance of Boston Harbour. On the 

 approach of the gunner, they rose, and instantly formed in 

 line, like a corps of troops, and advanced in perfect order, 

 keeping well dressed. They made a number of circuits in 

 the air previous to being shot at, but wheeled in line; 

 and the man who fired into the flock, observed that all 

 their evolutions were like those of a regularly-organized 

 military company.^' 



The Oyster-Catcher will not only take to the water whei 

 wounded, but can also swim and dive well. This fact 1 

 «an assert from my own observation, the exploits of one of 

 them in this way having nearly cost me my life. On the 

 sea-beach of Cape May, not far from a deep and rapid inlet, 

 I broke the wing of one of these birds, and being without 

 a dog, instantly pursued it towards the inlet, which it made 

 for with great rapidity. We both plunged in nearly at the 

 same instant ; but the bird eluded my grasp, and I sunk 

 beyond my depth; it was not until this moment that I 

 recollected having carried in my gun along with me. On 

 rising to the surface, I found the bird had dived, and a 

 strong ebb current was carrying me fast towards the ocean, 

 encumbered with a gun and all my shooting apparatus ; I 

 was compelled to relinquish my bird, and to make for th« 



