XXXVIII. 



H^MATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. (linn.) 

 Oyster Catcher, Shelder, Sea Pie, &c. 



The Oyster Catcher breeds on many parts of our shores ; 

 in Norfolk, and on the Feme islands on the Northumberland 

 coast ; it is more plentiful farther north, being numerous on 

 most of the Shetland islands. I have usually met with its 

 eggs in the first week in June, the time in which it begins 

 to lay, and the only period in which I have before had an 

 opportunity of seeing them. Whilst in Shetland, I found 

 many quite fresh as late as July, and should therefore con- 

 clude that it must be double-brooded. It is very particular 

 in its selection of a situation for its eggs, always making 

 choice of a piece of gravel or stoney ground, if to be met 

 with, especially if mixed with bits of broken shells, to which 

 it shows a curious partiality, carefully collecting them to- 

 gether and arranging them in a slight hole in the ground : 

 when these are not to be found, it selects small flat pieces of 

 stone. There is something very singular in the habits of 

 this bird, which has always puzzled me greatly: simple as 

 are the hard materials composing its nest, it is as particular 

 in the arrangement of them as many of our smaller birds in 

 the softer composition of their neat and beautiful abodes. 

 In this it seems to have much difficulty in pleasing itself, 

 and makes numerous nests ere it fixes upon one ; this I 

 have always noticed, and in some instances have seen as 

 many as a dozen, all apparently as well finished as the one 

 containing the eggs. Nothing can exceed the very extreme 

 and anxious solicitude evinced by this bird on your approach- 

 ing its nest; it flies round and round you, uttering its loud 



