OYSTER-CATCHER 



H&matopus ostralegus 



N most of the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland the 

 Oyster-catcher is a fairly common resident, except in much- 

 frequented districts, where it is continually disturbed. 

 North of Yorkshire and along the whole coast-line of 

 Scotland it is plentiful, and breeds in great numbers 

 in some localities. It frequents nearly all the adjacent 

 islands, including the Orkneys and Shetlands, as well as 

 the Outer Hebrides, and is also fairly common in Ireland. 



The favourite haunts of the Oyster-catcher are to be found on a rocky 

 coast, broken up here and there by sandy bays and stretches of gravel, or 

 among the sandhills close to the shore, where there are large banks of gravel 

 and sand intersected by little creeks and pools. On the shore it may be seen 

 running nimbly about among the rocks and little pools, catching the marine 

 creatures which are brought up by the tide, or turning over the seaweed to 

 catch the sand-lice and tiny crabs that lurk below. As the tide comes in it 

 runs about among the shallow water, picking up any choice morsel that may 

 be brought up by the waves. Oyster-catchers are very sociable birds, and are 

 usually seen feeding in small parties even during the breeding season. They are 

 very wary, and rise in the air on the slightest alarm, flying to some quieter part 

 of the coast, uttering their loud ' kd-pctp, ko-feep,' as they fly. The Oyster- 

 catcher may occasionally be observed searching among the little rock-pools 

 for limpets, which it twists off the rocks with its powerful bill, though the 

 suddenness of the attack has probably more to do with its success than the 

 strength, as limpets come off quite easily if taken quick enough. At high 

 tide, when their feeding-grounds are covered, the Oyster-catchers may be seen 

 dozing on the rocks with their heads drawn back on their shoulders or buried 

 among their scapulars, but they always keep their weather-eye open, and there 

 2 K 125 



