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OYSTER-CATCHEK on SEA-PIE. 



HJRMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS, Linn. 



Hsematopus ostralegus, Linn. S. N. i. p. 257 (1766) ; Naum. 

 vii. p. 325 ; Macg. iv. p. 152 ; Heiuitson, ii. p. 305 ; 

 Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 294; Dresser, vii. p. 567. 



Huilrier pie, French ; Austern-Fischer, Austern-Leser, 

 Meer-Elster, German ; Ostrero, Spanish. 



This handsome and conspicuous bird is well known 

 on most parts of our coasts. It is with some reluctance 

 that I have followed other authors in adopting the name 

 at the head of this article, for oysters can hardly be said 

 to reqiiire catching, and the bird most assuredly could 

 not open the shells of a genuine " native " or otlier 

 oyster, admirably adapted as its beak is for prising 

 limpets from the rocks and for breaking open the com- 

 paratively weak armour of mussels. 



The Sea-pie lays its three or four eggs generally in 

 slight depressions on sandy or shingly shores close above 

 high-water mark, but is often also to be found breeding 

 far from the sea on the stony banks of lakes and rivers. 

 The parent birds are very clamorous when the eggs are 

 near hatching or hatched, and will try all the dodges of 



