102 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



every summer into the interior, and breeds upon the banks 

 of rivers and small islets. At these times the Oyster- 

 catcher feeds upon the worms and grubs to be found in 

 pastures and grass fields; but the ordinary food consists 

 of limpets, mussels and other bivalves, sea- worms, and 

 marine insects. 



The bill of this bird is well worthy of notice, as it is 

 admirably adapted for procuring the particular food to 

 which its owner is so partial. It is about three inches in 

 length, greatly compressed, and terminates in a thin verti- 

 cal wedge ; indeed, just the instrument to insert between 

 the two portions of a bivalve and extract the contents. 

 The Oyster-catcher is quite an adept in the use of his bill, 

 and it is said that even the most stubbornly fixed limpets 

 are dislodged with ease and rapidity. 



In the winter months these birds congregate in flocks 

 differing considerably in size ; but when the spring ap- 

 proaches these flocks are broken up and the birds pair for 

 the breeding season ; but the Oyster-catcher is naturally 

 of social habits, and even after pairing many couples will 

 proceed to the same locality and breed together. 



Very little trouble is expended on the nest, as in the 

 majority of cases the eggs are laid in a slight hollow 

 scratched in the bare shingly ground. Four eggs are 

 usually laid, of a yellowish stone colour, spotted with ash- 

 grey and dark brown ; they are about two inches in length 

 and one inch and a half in breadth. 



The male is very attentive to his mate during incuba- 

 tion, and both birds exhibit great anxiety to decoy or frighten 

 away any troublesome intruder. The female sits for about 

 three weeks, and the young birds when hatched are covered 

 with a pretty soft down of a greyish-brown colour. 



