CHAEADEIID^ H^MATOPUS 379 



A young bird is paler than the adult, the feathers being all edged 

 with dusky-brown, 



Distribution. The Black Oyster Catcher is found on the African 

 coast from Gaboon on the west and the Eed Sea on the east, south- 

 ward to Cape Colony ; it has also been noticed at Madeira and the 

 Canaries, where it breeds. In South Africa it is most common 

 on the west coast, becoming somewhat rarer towards Natal. It 

 appears to be a resident. 



The following are localities : German South-west Africa Wal- 

 visch Bay (Andersson); Cape Colony Saldanha Bay, May, Septem- 

 ber, October (Stark) ; Cape division January, June (S. A. Mus.), 

 Robben Island (Layard), Knysua, February (Stark), Port Elizabeth 

 and East London (Wood) ; Natal rare (Ayres). 



FIG. 122. Head of Hcematopus moquini. x j. 



Habits. The Black Oyster Catcher is essentially a shore bird 

 and is found both on the mainland and also on the numerous 

 islands along the west and south coast of South Africa. It is 

 usually seen in pairs, though found in considerable flocks by 

 Andersson in October. It feeds on the beach on small fishes, crus- 

 tacea and mollusca. Stark saw one trying to wedge a mussel from 

 a rock and persisting in its efforts, although the waves were con- 

 stantly dashing up and submerging it up to the breast. It has a 

 shrill cry and sometimes soars to a great height ; it also runs and 

 swims with great ease and dexterity. 



The eggs have been obtained by Mr. Hugo in the neighbourhood 

 of Simonstown, by Andersson, and also by Dr. Stark on Jut Island 

 in Saldanha Bay in May. According to Hugo the clutch consists of 

 two, according to Andersson of four eggs, while Stark found three 



