494 The Water-fowl Family 



deeper brown, a broad zone of mottled black and white feathers 



extending across the breast. 

 Measurements — Wing, 10 inches; tail, 4 inches; tarsus, 2.25 



inches; bill from nostril, 2.35 inches, from feathers, 3 inches; 



depth at angle, .50 inch. 

 Habitat — Ranges on both coasts of Lower California and rarely 



north to Ventura County, California, and breeds throughout its 



range. May prove synonymous with H. galapagensis, of the 



Galapagos Islands. 



Closely resembling the American oyster-catcher 

 in appearance, this bird has exactly the same 

 habits. It frequents the shores of the islands of 

 the coast of Lower California and possibly western 

 Mexico. As early as January the bird mates, 

 breeding on the high beaches. 



It keeps close to the water's edge and feeds on 

 small shellfish. It is shy, running rapidly along 

 the beach and giving a clear whistle as it takes 

 flight. 



BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER 

 (Hamatopus bachmani) 



Adult male and female — Head and neck, black; remainder of plu- 

 mage, sooty, with a brownish tinge ; bill, vermilion ; iris, yellow ; 

 legs and feet, pale flesh color. 



Young — Similar, but browner ; many feathers on upper parts tipped 

 with buff. 



Downy young — Upper parts, olive-gray, mottled with black ; spot on 

 crown and flanks, and lines from nape, on back, to rump, black ; 

 throat and breast, slate-gray; centre of throat and abdomen, 

 paler ; white spot in middle of breast. 



Measurements — Length, 17 inches ; wing, 9.50 inches ; culmen, 2.75 

 inches; tarsus, 1.75 inches ; middle toe, 1.50 inches. 



Eggs — Two or three in number ; light olive-buff, spotted with black- 

 ish and purplish gray ; measure 2.20 by 1.50 inches. 



