THE OYSTEB-CATCHEK. 99 



THE OYSTER-CATCHER (Hamatopus ostrolegus). 



Though the oyster-catcher differs much from the stilt in 

 the length of its legs, and in its habits, so far as those of the 

 latter are known, yet there is, besides the similarity in the 

 structure of the toes, some correspondence in the general air 

 of the birds, and also in the tints, though not in the markings 

 of the plumage. 



The oyster-catcher is, however, a much larger bird, weigh- 

 ing fully a pound, and measuring nearly a foot and a half in 

 length, and more than two feet and a half in the stretch of 

 the wings. It is common on all parts of the British shores, 

 from the -Channel to the Shetland Isles. 



The bill of the oyster-catcher is about three inches long, 

 with nasal grooves half the length, and the nostrils longi- 

 tudinal slits ; it is broad at the base, compressed for the rest 

 of its length, very much so and wedge-shaped at the tip, and 

 in the old birds it becomes very thick and obtuse. It is very 

 strong, nearly straight, and of a bright red colour, inclining 

 to scarlet. 



The legs are rather long, bare for about an inch above the 

 tarsal joints ; the toes of moderate length, firm, partially 

 united with membrane as far as the first joint between the 

 middle and outer one, and margined with the same for their 

 whole length : they and the naked parts of the legs are 

 orange-red ; and the claws, which are strong, a little hooked, 

 and hollow on their under sides, are black. The under sides 

 of the toes are remarkably well furnished with small tuber- 

 cles, so that the bird can walk without injury upon rough 

 surfaces, or hold on upon slippery ones. The forehead is 

 high, the head full and round, and the neck free, but powerful 



the southern parts another species, H. Mexicanus, takes its place. New 

 Holland has also one species, If. leucocephalus ; and New Zealand 

 another, H. Nova Zealanda. M. 



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