* OYSTER-CATCHER. ~ 1 
nesting within the limits of the British Islands. We cannot 
therefore notice its nest and eggs in this place. 
171. SANDERLING—(Calidris arenaria). 
Common Sanderling, Sanderling Plover—Like the bird last 
named, a by no means unusual visitant to most parts of our 
coasts, and sometimes met with also at the edge of large pieces 
of fresh water, but never known hitherto to have bred with us. 
It is found associating most commonly, though in small parties 
for the most part, with the Dunlin, and other similar shore- 
haunting birds. 
172. OYSTER-CATCHER—(Hematopus ostralegus). 
Pied Oyster-catcher, Shelder, Sea-Pie, Olive-—A very beautiful 
and well-known dweller on our sea-coasts, and wonderfully pro- 
vided by nature, too, with a suitable instrument for purveying its 
destined food. The bill of the Oyster-catcher is one of those 
natural objects which form each a study in themselves. Woe be 
to the oyster or mussel, however powerful its mechanism for 
closing its valves, if once the Oyster-catcher has found means to 
insert that natural weapon of his. Flattened sideways, and hard 
and strong as so much bone, its efficacy is so great that there can 
be scarcely a struggle for life on the part of the shell-fish. It 
runs well, and is even said to dive and swim with facility. I 
never saw this, though I have had them under my observation for 
hours together in former days. ButI know their shrill, rattling 
whistle, and their short uneasy flights, and restless paddlings up 
and down upon the ooze, when I have been among their haunts, 
well—and many a nest it used to be my lot to discover on some 
parts of some of the Essex Saltings. The eggs, usually three or 
four in number, are laid on the bare ground, sometimes in slight 
holes amid the Saltimg herbage above high-water mark; or 
