70 BRITISH SEA BIRDS. 



catcher. It is worthily named " Sea Pie," its 

 strongly contrasted black and white plumage re- 

 calling at once the Magpie of the inland fields and 

 woods. The favourite haunts of this species are 

 long stretches of low, rocky coast, relieved here 

 and there by patches of shingle and long reaches of 

 sand, broken with quiet bays, creeks, and lochs, 

 where a large amount of beach is exposed at low 

 water. One may generally find an Oyster-catcher 

 about rocky islands ; it is also very partial to 

 resting on these, between the tides. Few birds 

 look daintier or prettier than the present species, as 

 it stands motionless on some weed-grown rock, its 

 pied plumage, rich orange-coloured bill, and flesh- 

 pink legs, coming out boldly against the olive-green 

 masses of algse. It is not often, however, that we 

 can approach sufficiently close to see such details ; 

 as a rule the bird rises piping shrilly into the air, 

 before it is actually seen, and long before unaided 

 vision can distinguish colours distinctly. During 

 summer the Oyster-catcher can scarcely be regarded 

 as gregarious, but in winter, when its numbers are 

 increased by migrants from the north, flocks of 

 varying size may be met with. When flushed, the 

 flight of this bird is very erratic and very rapid, 

 performed by quick and regular strokes of the long- 

 pointed wings ; and perhaps it is now that the 

 colours of the bird are seen to best advantage. 

 The call note is heard most frequently and per- 

 sistently as the bird hurries away in alarm, or 



