Shore-bird Shooting 493 



graceful and speedy, and its size is better appre- 

 ciated on the wing. This species nests along a 

 greater part of its range, choosing for this purpose 

 the highest portion of the beach, often laying its 

 eggs near some dry drift. They are deposited in a 

 slight depression in the sand, and in color resemble 

 exactly the surroundings. In bright weather the 

 birds leave the nest a large part of the time, cover- 

 ing it only at night and in stormy weather. The 

 young are hatched late in May and follow the old 

 birds in pursuit of food. This consists of various 

 small shellfish and sand-bugs. The former opinion 

 that the bird destroyed oysters is erroneous. The 

 little oyster-catchers bear a close resemblance to 

 the coloring of the beach and readily hide, while 

 the parents exhibit the greatest distress, flying close 

 by, uttering piteous cries, and doing all in their 

 power to distract attention from the young. When 

 hard pressed the birds occasionally take to water, 

 where they swim and dive with ease. Through 

 the summer often six or more are seen together, 

 keeping to the same resorts along the beach, very 

 rarely straggling up the bays and rivers a short 

 distance inland. By early fall they have departed. 



frazer's oyster-catcher 



(Hamatopus frazeri) 



Adult male and female— .Similar to the American oyster-catcher 

 in general plumage; the bill is stouter and more depressed; 

 there is little or no white on the eyelids ; the upper parts are 



