SANDPIPERS. 195 



C. south through S. A. to the Straits of 

 Magellan; goes north in April and May. 

 Frequents sandy and stony beaches where 

 it turns over small stones, seaweed, etc., in 

 search of food, whence its name. Call, a 

 clear, melodious whistle, consisting of two or 

 three notes; also gives a chuckling sound. 

 Flight, moderately swift and direct with 

 strong wing-beats. Less common on our 

 coast, north of N. C. in spring than in fall. 



145. OYSTER-CATCHER. 



Large, 19; above, head and neck black- 

 ish; patch on wing and beneath, white. Bill 

 and eyelids, crimson; feet, pale pink, fig. 141. 

 Young, marked with buff above. Breeds 

 on the Atlantic coast from N. J. southward; 

 formerly wintered from N. C. to Patagonia, 

 now rare on our coast at this season, ac-^ 

 cidental north to Grand Menan. Frequents 

 sandy shores and mud flats, feeding chiefly 

 upon oysters. Flight slow but direct, with 

 strong wing-beats. Alarm note when start- 

 led, a harsh discordant scream, but gives a 



