OYSTER-CATCHER : 251 
In many districts of the British Isles this is a common 
lbreeding-species. Thus the numerous islands which stud 
the Atlantic-facing coasts of Scotland and Ireland, are 
annually tenanted by numbers. On the mainland, espe- 
cially that of Scotland, the bird is also a common nesting- 
species, but along the southern coasts it breeds much more 
sparingly. 
Geographical distribution.—Abroad, it breeds over a vast 
area of Temperate and Northern Europe and Asia, includ- 
ing large inland waters. In winter, great numbers push 
southward, reaching Southern and Western Asia, and North 
Africa. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.—Middle and lower back, 
breast, abdomen, and a small spot under the eye, white ; 
elongated patch on the wing, white; rest of plumage, black. 
Adult female nuptial.—Similar to male plumage. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to nuptial 
plumage except that a portion of the throat is white and 
there is a broad white crescent on the side of the neck. 
Immature, male and femaie.—The feathers of the back 
and wings are edged with brown; middle of throat banded 
with white. 
Beak. Reddish, becoming lighter in shade towards 
the tip; compressed from side to side and blunted at the 
extremity. 
Freet. Deep pink; thick and fleshy. 
IrRIDEs. Crimson. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH .. sist soon. elayisie whale 
WING OR 
BEAK aad OP ian a: 
TARSO-METATARSUS IS 57.2 
Eee DD Xl oem 
Note—“ A Sheathbill, Chionis alba, of Antarctic America, 
obtained in Carlingford Lough, co. Down, on December 2nd, 
1892, is in the collection of Mr. R. M. Barrington. Living 
examples have often been sent from the Falkland Islands” 
(Saunders). (Vide ‘Irish Naturalist,’ 1893, pp. 151-155, pl. 4.) 
