OYSTEE-CATOHBES. 



373 



now' considering, is a bird about the size of the Partridge, with a 

 large and fan-like tail. Its brilliant hues have obtained for it in 



Fig. 145.— Caurale (Figuier). 



Guinea the name of the Little Peacock, or Sun Bird. It is very 

 wild in its nature. 



Pressirostres (Compressed Bills). 



The birds which belong to the order Pressirostrce are charac- 

 terised by a middling-sized bill — not, however, devoid of strength 

 — and a back toe which is altogether rudimentary ; indeed, 

 in some species entirely wanting. They are mostly vermi- 

 vorous ; some, however, are granivorous or herbivorous. In 

 this order a number of rather dissimilar birds have been 

 reckoned, some of which belong decidedly to the "Wader tribe, 

 whilst others, by their general habits, are more allied to the 

 Gallinaceae. Among them are the Cariama (Fig. 146), the 

 Oyster-catcher, the Yellow-leg, the Stone Plover, the Lapwing, 

 the Plover, and the Bustard, 



The Oyster-catchers (Hmmatopus) are characterised by a long, 

 pointed, and powerful bill, which they use like a pair of pincers 

 for opening oysters, mussels, and other shell-fish left on the shore 

 by the receding tide, with the, sole purpose of devouring their 

 contents. Few things are more interesting than to see them 



