NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 135 



spotted all over with brown; sizes, 1.68 x 1.13, 1.60 x 1.17, 1.60 x 1.17, 

 1.68 x 1. 13. 



284. Arenaria melanocephala (Vig.) [510.] 



Black Turnstone. 



Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska to Santa Cruz and San Minguel Island. 



The Black-headed Turnstone is common along the Pacific coast 

 of North America. It has been found nesting in Alaska at the mouth 

 of the Yukon. In all respects its habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are said to 

 be similar to those of A. interpres. The eggs average 1.62 x 1.12. 



[285.] Hsematopus ostralegus Linn. [506.] 



Oyster-catcher. 



Hab. Sea-coasts of Europe, portions of Asia and Africa; occasional in Greenland. 



The Oyster-catcher of Europe claims a place in the North Amer- 

 ican fauna from its occasional occurrence in Greenland, It appears to 

 be common in all suitable places on the coasts and islands of Europe, 

 extending northward to the northern shores of Russia and Siberia, 

 where it breeds on the great Arctic flats. Common throughout the 

 summer months in Denmark, Sweden and on the west shores of Nor- 

 way. In Great Britain the Oyster-catcher is a well known species, 

 nesting on the shores and islands as far north as Orkney and Shetland. 

 The bird breeds generally in pairs, but in some instances a large num- 

 ber are found nesting in one place. Four eggs are usually laid in some 

 cavity in the sand or shingle. Nests have been found on the top of 

 rocks, ten to fifteen feet above the ground. The eggs are of a dull 

 creamy buff, spotted aud blotched with brownish-black, generally over 

 the entire ^%Z. Six eggs in my cabinet from England measure 

 2.15x1.57, 2.35x1.53, 2.16x1.56, 2.17x1.54, 2.32x1.50, 2.19x1.56. 



286. Hsematopus palliatus Temm. [507.] 



American Oyster-catolier. 



Hab. Sea-coasts of America from Nova Scotia and Southern California, south to Patagouia. 



The Brown-backed Oyster-catcher breeds along the Atlantic coast 

 from New Jersey southward, where it becomes more common. It 

 breeds abundantly, but irregularly, in different localities. There are 

 extensive breeding resorts along the coast of Virginia. On Cobb's 

 Island it was formerly quite common during the breeding season, 

 where now only a few pair are said to be found nesting. It is common 

 along the coast of Florida, nesting on the beaches and depositing three, 

 sometimes only two, eggs. The American Oyster-catcher is an abund- 

 ant resident throughout the Bahamas, nesting wherever there are sandy 

 beaches. It has been found breeding in Galveston Bay, Texas, in June, 

 and on islands at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The eggs are creamy 

 or white, spotted and blotched irrregularly with varying shades of 



