196 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 
286. European Oyster-catcher. 
Hematopus ostralegus LINN. 
One specimen was sent to Copenhagen from Julianehaab in 
1847, another in 1871 from Godthaab, and a third from Nenortalik 
in 1859. (Arct. Man.) 
287. Black Oyster-catcher. 
Hematopus bachmani Avvd. 1839. 
This bird is found abundantly at Sitka and Kadiak and Dall 
found it a summer resident on the entire Aleutian chain. Its 
range is not known to extend to the north beyond the Aleutian 
Islands. (Ve/son.) This species is found on the islands of 
Alaska that lie south of the peninsula of Alaska and as far east 
as the Shumagin Groupand to the westward as far as Kiska Island 
of the Aleutian chain and is a constant resident of this area. It 
is strictly littoral in its habits and always flies over the sea when 
moving from point to point. (Zzrner.) An abundant resident 
along the coasts of British Columbia. (/annzn.) 
BREEDING Notres.—This bird breeds throughout its range. 
The eggs are laid on the bare rock, just above high water wash. 
The number of eggs varies from one to three, usually two, and 
are laid about the 10th June. (Zzrner.) Dall found two nests on 
the Shumagin Group June 23rd, 1872. In both cases the eggs 
were placed directly on the gravel of the beach; one contained 
two eggs, the other one. Mr. John Fannin says that the eggs are 
generally two and laid on the bare rocks close to the water. 
MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 
One specimen taken on Stubbs Island, off the west coast of 
Vancouver Island, in August 1893, by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 
Two eggs taken on Sea Bird Island, Barclay Sound, west coast of 
Vancouver Island, by Dr. Newcombe, on June Ist, 1896. Also a 
set taken on Mittlematch Island, off Valdez Island, in the Gulf of 
Georgia, by Mr. Percy Smith, in June 1895. 
