OYSTERCATCHER OR SEAPIE 393 



OYSTERCATCHER OR SEAPIE 



[W. FARREN] 



This handsome shore-bird is hardly so epicurean in its tastes 

 as its popular name implies. No doubt it would not refuse oysters 

 when procurable, but it is well content with the more plebeian mussel, 

 which, with other molluscs such as limpets and various univalves, 

 form its chief food. Another name, not so widely used, but per- 

 haps more appropriate, is seapie ; the beautifully clean black and 

 white of the bird's plumage gives it, especially when on the wing, a 

 conspicuous pied appearance. 



The oystercatcher occurs either in the nesting season, on migra- 

 tion, or in winter throughout Europe and the greater part of Asia. 

 It is seen on our coasts throughout the year, although during the 

 nesting season parts in the south and east are almost deserted, 

 save for a few non-breeding birds. It is, in fact, far more in 

 evidence as a shore-bird during the autumn and winter, for although 

 many pairs nest on sand and shingle shores, and rocks near the sea, 

 large numbers resort to inland localities for the breeding season. 

 The resident flocks are considerably augmented in autumn and 

 winter by the southward movement of large numbers of birds from 

 more northern nesting-places. 



The stretches of shingle beach by Highland rivers, more 

 especially when in the form of islands, are favourite nesting-sites 

 of the oystercatcher. In Scotland, where such river beaches are 

 very common, many pairs of oystercatchers may be found far 

 inland, each pair in possession of an island or strip of beach. On 

 the larger islands several pairs may find accommodation, for although 

 territorial rights are jealously guarded, there is no very definite rule 

 as to the extent of the domain reserved by each pair of birds, some 

 nests being very little distance apart So many pairs may be found 



