y THE OYSTER-CATCHER. 



Hccmatopm ostralegus. 



HIS handsome and active bird 

 is tolerabl}^ common on the 

 shores o£ Great Britain^ and 

 may be generally found 

 where long ridges of shingle 

 banks, and beds of low rocks, 

 promise a plentiful supply 

 of mussels and other shell- 

 fish. The very strongly 

 marked contrasts in the 

 plumage, which are so notice- 

 able in llight, have gained 

 for it the name of Seaj^ie, 

 and perhaps it is. better 

 known under this title than 

 any othei*. 



The Oyster-catcher is not 

 so entirely devoted to the sea- 

 shore as its names might im- 

 ply, for it is very frequently 

 seen on the banks of large 

 rivers and lakes, many miles 

 inland ; and in some parts 

 of the country it migrates 



