THE OYSTER-CATCHER. 103 



The Oyster-catcher is very easily domesticated. Some 

 years ago a flock was kept in the grounds of the Royal 

 Pavilion, Brighton, where they attracted a great deal of 

 attention. The writer well recollects an Oyster-catcher in 

 the west of England that lived many years in a fowl-yard ; 

 it was quite tame, and associated with the fowls and 

 pigeons in the most friendly way. According to Pennant, 

 the Finns hold this bird in the utmost detestation ; for they 

 suppose that when they are engaged in seal-chasing it 

 gives timely notice to the seals of the approach of the 

 hunters, and by that means frightens away their game. 

 The peasants in the north-eastern parts of Scotland, how- 

 ever, regard it very differently, and consider its early ap- 

 pearance inland as a sure sign of a mild and productive 

 season. 



In addition to Great Britain, the Oyster-catcher is 

 found on all the coasts of Southern Europe, Denmark, 

 Sweden, and the Scandinavian shores ; and it is said to be 

 well-known throughout Russia, Siberia, and Kamschatka, 

 and to breed on most of the large Arctic flats. 



The length of the Oyster-catcher is about sixteen inches ; 

 the beak at the base is deep orange, growing lighter towards 

 the tip; the irides crimson; the eyelids reddish-orange, 

 and there is a white spot below the eye ; the head, neck, 

 upper part of the breast, and greatest part of the wings 

 are black ; there is a white bar across the wings, and the 

 tail is white about half-way from the rump, the end half 

 being black. All the under portions of the body and wings 

 are white. The legs and toes (the latter being three in 

 number and all directed forward) are of a purplish flesh 

 colour; the claws black. In the winter months the birds 

 have a gorget of white round the front of the neck, and in 



