OYSTER-CATCHER. GRALLAT. HJ3MATOPUS. 201 



eggs are invariably four in number, and not restricted to Nest, &< 

 two or three, as stated by TEMMINCK ; are of a pale oil-green 

 colour, blotched with brownish-black ; in that respect very 

 similar to those of the Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis), 

 but larger. During incubation the male bird is always on 

 the watch, and immediately gives the alarm of apprehended 

 danger to the female, by a loud shrill whistle, upon. hearing 

 which she silently quits her eggs, and runs to some distance 

 before taking wing, or joining in the alarm cry with her 

 mate. The parents are also very clamorous so long as the 

 young (who quit the nest as soon as hatched) are unable to 

 fly, and persecute any intruder with their incessant cries, fly- 

 ing around him in repeated circles, and often advancing very 

 near, although at other times they are particularly wary and 

 difficult of approach. After the young have acquired their 

 full growth, these birds begin to assemble into large flocks, 

 and continue thus associated during winter, or until the ge- 

 nial influence of the advancing season again induces them to 

 separate and pair. The Oyster- Catcher is a bird of hand- 

 some appearance, of compact and rounded form, and when 

 upon wing cannot fail to attract attention, from the pure 

 white of the belly, wing-bars, and rump, contrasting well 

 with the bright orange of the bill, and the glossy black of 

 the rest of the body. Though possessing a foot only par- 

 tially webbed, it swims easily and with much buoyancy, and, 

 if wounded, immediately betakes itself to the water for 

 safety. I have also seen it swimming from one feeding-place 

 to another, where the intervening water was too deep for 

 wading. Its flesh is of a dark colour, and partakes of the 

 odour of the food on which it subsists. This is a widely dis- 

 tributed species, being found upon all the shores of the Eu- 

 ropean continent, as well as those of Asia and Africa. It is 

 not very difficult to rear this bird in confinement, and it is 

 frequently kept so, with other aquatic species, for the neat- 

 ness of its form, and the well contrasted colours of its plu- 

 mage. 



