AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER. 



H^MATOPUS PALLIATUS. 



Char. Bill red, long, stout, straight, and compressed towards the 

 point; feet red, no hind toe, outer and middle toes united by a membrane 

 as far as the middle joint. Head and neck black, changing to blackish 

 brown on back and wings ; rump, wing-band, tail, and belly white. Length 

 i8 inches. 



Nest. On the border of a salt-marsh or upper edge of a sea-beach ; 

 a mere depression scratched in the sand. 



Eggs. 2-3 ; bluish white or pale buff marked with several shades of 

 brown; 2.20 X 1.55. 



The Oyster-catcher is common to the north of both conti- 

 nents, breeding in Great Britain, France, Norway, and along 

 the borders of the Caspian ; it is even seen as far south as 

 Senegal in Africa. But though common in New Jersey and 

 the Southern States as far as the Bahamas, where these birds 

 likewise pass the period of reproduction, they are but rarely 

 seen to visit the coast of Massachusetts. In Europe they 

 are said to retire somewhat inland at the approach of winter ; 

 in the United States they are seen at this season along the 

 coasts which lie south of Cape Hatteras, on the borders of 



