THE OYSTERCATCHER 187 



The Oystercatcher is not what we can call gregarious, but 

 it is very social, and often unites into little parties which feed 

 and fly in company. In summer it is generally observed in 

 pairs, and few birds are more attached to each other. If one 

 of the birds is shot its companion flies round and round above 

 its fallen comrade uttering its shrill mournful pipe, and every 

 now and then swooping down and almost touching its body, 

 utterly regardless of its own safety. I have seen the Oyster- 

 catcher fly about for hours above the body of its mate, which 

 was lying in the sea, slowly drifting with the tide ; and some- 

 times several birds will come upon the sad scene and chant 

 the death knell of their poor companion. Who shall say, 

 after this, that the " lower animals," as man is so pleased to 

 call them, are not capable of displaying sentiment as true and 

 as tender as his own ? 



At times like this we have a good opportunity of wit- 

 nessing the Oystercatcher's great power of wing. Its flight 

 is usually straightforward, the wings rapidly beating and 

 producing a pretty effect as the white and black parts show 

 out alternately ; but before the bird alights it often skims 

 along just above the beach with outstretched wings, and when 

 finally at rest keeps them elevated for a moment ere grace- 

 fully folding them. Nothing can exceed the wild impetuous 

 dash of this bird as it rises from the shore when suddenly 

 alarmed, and it often turns and twists about in a very erratic 

 manner before finally settling down on its course, putting you 

 somewhat in mind of the Jack Snipe. When wounded the 

 Oystercatcher often takes to the water to escape, but I do 

 not think it dives or swims at any other time. The Oyster- 

 catcher feeds on the various shellfish inhabiting the rocky 

 and sandy shores; but in addition to these it digs in the 

 sand for worms, and picks up many small beetles on the 

 higher ground. 



In early spring the Oystercatcher is not quite so shy, 



