OysteR-CatcHeR. GRALLAT. HASMATOPUS. 201 
eggs are invariably four in number, and not restricted to 
two or three, as stated by TEmmrncx; are of a pale oil-green 
colour, blotched with brownish-black ; in that respect very 
similar to those of the Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis), 
but larger. During incubation the male bird is always on 
the watch, and immediately gives the alarm of apprehended 
danger to the female, by a loud shrill whistle, upon hearing 
which she silently quits her eggs, and runs to some distance 
before taking wing, or joining in the alarm cry with her 
mate. The parents are also very clamorous so long as the 
young (who quit the nest as soon as hatched) are unable to 
fly, and persecute any intruder with their incessant cries, fly- 
ing around him in repeated circles, and often advancing very 
near, although at other times they are particularly wary and 
difficult of approach. After the young have acquired their 
full growth, these birds begin to assemble into large flocks, 
and continue thus associated during winter, or until the ge- 
nial influence of the advancing season again induces them to 
separate and pair. The Oyster-Catcher is a bird of hand- 
some appearance, of compact and rounded form, and when 
upon wing cannot fail to attract attention, from the pure 
white of the belly, wing-bars, and rump, contrasting well 
with the bright orange of the bill, and the glossy black of 
the rest of the body. Though possessing a foot only par- 
tially webbed, it swims easily and with much buoyancy, and, 
if wounded, immediately betakes itself to the water for 
safety. I have also seen it swimming from one feeding-place 
to another, where the intervening water was too deep for 
wading. Its flesh is of a dark colour, and partakes of the 
odour of the food on which it subsists. This is a widely dis- 
tributed species, being found upon all the shores of the Eu- 
ropean continent, as well as those of Asia and Africa. It is 
not very difficult to rear this bird in confinement, and it is 
frequently kept so, with other aquatic species, for the neat- 
ness of its form, and the well contrasted colours of its plw- 
mage. 
3 
Nest, &c. 
