1G3 



OYSTER-CATCHER. 



PIED OYSTER-CATCHER. SEA PIE. OLIVE. 



PLATE CLVI. 



Heematopus ostraltgim, PEXXANT. MONTAGU. 



Hcematopus jBelonii, WILLUGHBT. 



THE nest is placed among gravel or stones, or among grass near 

 the sea bank, in situations above high-water mark, where these materials 

 of building are at hand, and the bird seems to be especially partial 

 to a mixture of broken shells, which it carefully collects together and 

 places in a slight hollow in the ground, using considerable care in 

 their disposition. Several nests appear to be made, sometimes, before 

 the architect can fashion one to give perfect satisfaction; many nests 

 are also placed in contiguity to each other, intermixed too, it may be, 

 with those of other aquatic birds. Some have been met with on the 

 top of isolated rocks, at a height of from ten to fifteen feet from the 

 ground. In lieu of shells small pieces of stone or gravel are selected, 

 and the whiter they are the better they seem to please. Incubation 

 lasts about three weeks. 



The eggs are four in number, and of a yellowish stone-colour, spotted 

 with grey, brown, and brownish black. They have been found variously 

 in April, May, June, and July, so that it would appear that two 

 broods are reared in the year. The eggs are disposed with their small 

 ends inwards. 



One is of a light greyish yellow, with dark brown marks all over, 

 and some spots of the same. 



A second is also of a dull greyish yellow, with thin streaks of brown, 

 and some spots and marks of a darker brown and grey. 



