70 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 
catcher. It is worthily named “Sea Pie, Jats 
strongly contrasted black and white plumage re- 
calling at once the Magpie of the inland fields and 
woods. The favourite haunts of this species are 
long stretches of low, rocky coast, relieved here 
and there by patches of shingle and long reaches of 
sand, broken with quiet bays, creeks, and lochs, 
where a large amount of beach is exposed at low 
water. One may generally find an Oyster-catcher 
about rocky islands; it is also very partial to 
resting on these, between the tides. Few birds 
look daintier or prettier than the present species, as 
it stands motionless on some weed-grown rock, its 
pied plumage, rich orange-coloured bill, and flesh- 
pink legs, coming out boldly against the olive-green 
masses of alge. It is not often, however, that we 
can approach sufficiently close to see such details ; 
as a rule the bird rises piping shrilly into the air, 
before it is actually seen, and long before unaided 
vision can distinguish colours distinctly. During 
summer the Oyster-catcher can scarcely be regarded 
as gregarious, but in winter, when its numbers are 
increased by migrants from the north, flocks of 
varying size may be met with. When flushed, the 
flight of this bird is very erratic and very rapid, 
performed by quick and regular strokes of the long- 
pointed wings; and perhaps it is now that the 
colours of the bird are seen to best advantage. 
The call note is heard most frequently and per- 
sistently as the bird hurries away in alarm, or 
