OYSTER-CATCHERS. 



375 



They assemble in considerable flocks for the purpose of migration 

 — if this term may be held applicable to the short journeys which 

 they annually undertake. They ought rather to be called pleasant 



Fig. 147.— Oyster-catcher ( HceTruitopus ostralegu^, Linn.). 



little jaunts — inspections, as it were, of their domains ; something 

 Kke the circuit of his department made by a prefect, or the pro- 

 gress of a sovereign through his country. 



There are three or four species of the Oyster- catcher, only one 



Fig. 148.— KunuerB {Cur'sorius, Figuier), 



of which is a native of Europe. The plumage of the latter is 

 white and black, which, joined to its noisy habits, has obtained 



