WILD FOWL ON AN ESTUARY WINTER 267 



a long silver line on the bar. The quavering 

 whistle of the curlew, which has been audible 

 for some time, and, under favourable conditions, 

 should carry more than a mile, becomes increas- 

 ingly distinct. The lower sleepy winter "peep, 

 peep" of the oyster-catcher, which one must be 

 near in order to catch, is now added. These 

 sounds are never absent, except when the tide is 

 full, and the daily hush comes on. Then the curlew 

 is feeding in the fields, and the oyster-catcher 

 resting on the moor. 



A few moments and the birds themselves come 

 into view. 



The oyster-catcher patters along the very edge of 

 the water, "peeping" drowsily the while; and in flight 

 assumes the V shape of the duck. With his glossy 

 back and pure white breast, he is the gayest of our 

 sea birds ; and, both sexes being alike, the gaiety 

 is not, as in the case of the ducks, dimmed by 

 the sober-coloured females. He is not an oyster- 

 catcher ; if he were, he would probably be perse- 

 cuted. Your oyster, besides being a bivalve that 

 can be trusted to take care of itself, is much 

 too rare in Scottish waters to provide adequately 

 for the multitude of birds. The mussel is much 

 commoner, and more easily managed. He gains 



