266 BIRDS. 



The attractive black-and-white Turnstone is with us only 

 on its way to and from its northern breeding -grounds, 



Turn- though a few are said to stay the winter. It 

 stone. ma y kg geen j n S p r i n g running among the sea- 

 weed just above the high- water line of late winter storms, 

 and also turning over the shingle (though I have seen this 

 far less commonly) for the little sand-hoppers beneath. It 

 utters a loud twitter during its short nights to new feeding- 

 grounds. 



The Oyster-catcher, or " Sea-pie," is a conspicuous black- 

 and-white bird, nearly twice the size of the last, and easily 

 Oyster- distinguished by the absence of hind-toe, the 

 catcher. g rea ter length of the bright yellow bill, the 

 upper mandible of which is also distinctly grooved, and 

 the pink feet. It is seen seeking its crustaceans and 

 molluscs on the flat weed -covered rocks, where also it 

 lays its eggs. Like the turnstone, though rather more 

 frequently, it is sometimes observed on the water, but 

 only in still weather. Its double note is even shriller 

 than that of most of the other waders. Eggs, 3 or 4, 

 2*^ inches; yellowish, with dark spots and lines. 



Avocet. A rare spring and autumn visitor from the 

 south, which formerly bred in our southern counties. To 

 Scotland and Ireland its visits are few and far between. 

 The most striking feature of this bird is the black, up- 

 curved bill, with which it scoops crustaceans from the 

 sand. It is an expert swimmer. 



Black - winged Stilt. A rare spring visitor to these 

 islands, chiefly to the south of England. 



The Grey Phalarope is an almost regular but usually 



scarce winter visitor, chiefly to the south of England. 



tG-rey Some winters it arrives in great numbers. 



Plialarope. j ts f eet are ve llow, and the toes are lobed. 



The underparts are dull red. 



