BY SANDY SHORES. 233 



is distinguished by having the black collar only 

 represented by a patch on each side of the breast, 

 and by having the back of the head and the nape 

 buff. Both these birds soar and trill during the 

 love season. 



Wherever the sandy shore is relieved by 

 patches of shingle and broken, rocky ground, 

 we may count upon finding another very cha- 

 racteristic bird of the coast, the OYSTERCATCHER coasts of 

 (Htzmatopus ostralegus). Its black and white Scotland? 

 plumage, long, bright orange bill, and pink legs Yorks and 

 distinguish it from all other sea-fowl ; and its 

 loud piercing whistle of heep-heep-heep, uttered 

 most frequently during flight, also serves to 

 identify this species when closer scrutiny is pre- 

 vented. The Oystercatcher may often be flushed 

 from the quiet bays and creeks, especially where 

 a rocky beach is exposed at low water. It is 

 very rare on all our southern English coasts 

 during the breeding season, but in winter is 

 more widely dispersed, many of the more northern 

 haunts being deserted at that time. Here the 

 pretty bird may be watched running along the 

 sandy patches, up and down the shingle, and 

 over the big wet stones, searching for the mussels 

 and limpets, sand - worms and crustaceans, on 

 which it feeds. Although so intent on feeding, 

 it is ever wary, and dashes off long before we 

 are near enough to work it harm off across 

 the bay in one long, rapid flight, or round the 

 distant point to more secluded quarters lower 

 down the coast. Sometimes, especially in autumn, 

 parties of these birds may be seen, but in spring 

 and summer it is usually met with in pairs. 

 The Oystercatcher commences family duties in 



