526 CHARADRIID.E. 



anterior part slightly convex ; upper mandible with a broad lateral groove, 

 extending one half the length of the bill ; mandibles nearly equal in size 

 and length, with the thin ends truncated. Nostrils, basal, lateral, linear, 

 pierced in the membrane of the mandibular groove. Legs of moderate 

 length, naked for a short space above the tarsal joint ; tarsi strong. Feet 

 with three toes only, all directed forward, united at their base by a mem- 

 brane ; claws strong, broad, not very much pointed. 



THE OYSTER-CATCHER is well known on the shores of 

 our coast, and is also common and indigenous to Ireland ; 

 it appears to prefer sandy bays and wide inlets bounded 

 with banks of shingle, as favourable localities for the pro- 

 duction of the various mollusca upon which it principally 

 subsists ; the vertical edge of its truncated, wedge-like 

 beak, seems admirably adapted for insertion between the 

 two portions of a bivalve shell : and this bird is said to be 

 able to detach limpets from the surface of a rock with 

 ease and certainty. Its food appears to be the mollusca 

 generally, worms, and marine insects. As observed by 

 Mr. Selby, the Oyster-catcher is a handsome bird, when 

 seen on the wing, from the well-marked contrast, and the 

 purity of the black and white colours of its plumage ; it 

 runs with rapidity, and can swim and dive with ease ; 

 may frequently be observed to swim short distances when 

 searching for its food, but seldom dives unless to avoid or 

 escape from an enemy. It deposits its eggs, usually four 

 in number, on the bare ground on a shingly beach above 

 high water-mark ; the eggs are of a yellowish stone colour, 

 spotted with ash grey and dark brown; two inches two 

 lines in length, by one inch six lines in breadth. The 

 female sits about three weeks, during which the male 

 keeps watch, and becomes clamorous on the approach of 

 an enemy ; his mate attends to the signal, leaves her nest 

 in silence, and after a circuitous flight, joins him in his en- 

 deavours to scold or decoy away the intruder. The young, 

 when hatched, are covered with a greyish brown down. 



