294 



LJMICOLtf. 



CHARADRIID/E. 



CHAXADRHD.fl. 



H^EMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS, Linnaeus.* 

 THE OYSTER-CATCHER, 



OR SEA-PIE. 



Hcematopm ostralegus. 



H^MATOPUS, LinncBUS"^. Beak longer than the head, straight, strong, the 

 point much compressed, forming a wedge ; cultnen of the 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 tnin ends 

 truncated. Nostrils basal, lateral, linear, pierced in the membrane of the 

 man dibular 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 membrane; claws strong, broad, not very much 

 pointed. 



* Hcematopus Oslralegus, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 257 (1766). 

 f loc. cit. 



