212 IHB BIRDS OF SUSSEX. 



for the sake of the marine animals on its underside, which, 

 I should have thought, would have been shaken off by their 

 efforts ; however, they succeeded at last in their endeavours, 

 and appeared to derive a hearty meal, and, on their leaving 

 the spot, I could find no appearance of their having eaten 

 any part of the fish. 



On the beach it is very silent, but, on being put up, utters 

 a loud twittering note. It goes far north to breed. 



OYSTER-CATCHEK. 



Scematopus ostralegus. 



In this county the Oyster-catcher is usually known as the 

 " Olive,^' of the origin of which name I have no information. 

 I have now and then heard it called the " Sea-pie," from its 

 black and white appearance. It remains with us throughout 

 the year, preferring those parts of the coast where there is 

 the largest expanse of beach. In former days I have seen 

 considerable flocks between Shoreham Harbour and the sea, 

 where it then bred, and where it is still occasionally met 

 with. Another favourite resort is the widely-spread mass 

 of shingle near Rye, where it still breeds in considerable 

 numbers. 



An amusing story, how true I cannot say, is told of a man 

 who used to distribute the eggs among his daughters to hatch, 

 each of the four young ladies taking their turn with them in 

 bed, and when hatched he had a ready sale for them at 10s. 

 a piece. I well remember that about the year 1823 I often 

 saw a small flock of Oyster-catchers driven from the PavUion 

 Gardens, at Brighton, across the Steine, by a man in the 

 royal livery, armed with a long stick, having a piece of red 



