Birds of Britain 



very favourite localities. The eggs are four in number and 

 very characteristic of this species, being greenish grey in 

 ground colour, spirally streaked with brown. It is a late 

 breeder, rarely having eggs before the beginning of June. 



After the nesting season it at once moves southwards, 

 youDg being met with on our shores by the middle of 

 August. At this time of year it collects in small parties of 

 from twenty to forty, and where not disturbed they are 

 fairly tame and allow their curious method of feeding to be 

 easily observed. 



This bird is very variable in plumage when adult : the 

 head and neck are variegated with black and white ; mantle 

 variegated with chestnut and black. Eump and under 

 parts white. Tail brown; breast and shoulders chiefly black. 

 The female resembles the male, but is slightly larger. Most 

 of the chestnut colouring is lost in winter. The young have 

 the upper parts brown, the feathers edged with white. 

 Under parts white. Collar and a patch on each side of the 

 breast dark brown. Length 9 in. ; wing 6 in. 



THE OYSTER-CATCHER 



Haematopus ostralegus, Linnaeus 



No one who has been along the shore in winter can 

 have failed to notice the large flocks of black-and-white 

 birds — Sea Pies as they are often called — sitting on a sand- 

 spit and, like Canute of old, defying the tide. There they 

 sit, till, when the water is just about to touch their feathers, 



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