BLACK-AND-WHITE BIRDS. 29 



Nest. — A depression in the shingle above high- 

 water mark, usually with a few small stones and bits 

 of shell as lining ; on ledges of rocks bordering sand 

 or shingle beaches ; and in holes in turf inland from 

 the rock-head. 



Distribution. — Around the shores of the British 

 Islands, and in Scotland on the banks of many of 

 the larger rivers, particularly of the eastern side. 



The Oyster-Catcher, or Sea-Pie; is as conspicuous 

 as the Magpie in its boldly contrasting black-and- 

 white plumage, but utterly different in every other 

 respect. At high-water the bird is usually to be 

 seen standing on the sea-washed rocks, the head 

 drawn in between the shoulders giving it a strangely 

 round-shouldered appearance. At ebb, however, small 

 parties of the birds set off together to search the 

 tide-line as the water falls, their approach being 

 heralded by loud, metallic cries resembling to some 

 extent the ' Pink ! ' of the Blackbird, but much louder 

 and more metallic. It is when on the wing that the 

 Oyster-Catcher exhibits the striking pattern of its 

 markings — the white tail broadly barred with black 

 at the end, and the sharply pointed wings striped 

 alternately with black and white, completing the 

 strong contrast between the black of the head and 

 upper parts and the white of the lower back and 

 under parts. The Oyster-Catcher does not ' catch 

 oysters,' but drags limpets and mussels from the 

 rocks, forcing the shells open with its powerful bill. 

 It goes with a walking gait and is a swift runner. 

 When disturbed the birds circle out to sea, and return 

 to the shore further on. This bird deposits its three, 



