196 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA. 



286. European Oyster-catcher. 



Hcemaiopus ostralegus Linn. 



One specimen was sent to Copenhagen from Julianehaab in 

 1847, another in 1871 from Godthaab, and a third from Nenortalik 

 in 1859. {Arct. Man) 



287. Black Oyster-catcher. 



Hoematopus bachmani Aud. 1839. 



This bird is found abundantly at Sitka and Kadiak and Dall 

 found it a summer resident on the entire Aleutian chain. Its 

 range is not known to extend to the north beyond the Aleutian 

 Islands. {Nelson.) This species is found on the islands of 

 Alaska that lie south of the peninsula of Alaska and as far east 

 as the Shumagin Group and to the westward as far as Kiska Island 

 of the Aleutian chain and is a constant resident of this area. It 

 is strictly littoral in its habits and always flies over the sea when 

 moving from point to point. [Turner.) An abundant resident 

 along the coasts of British Columbia. {Fannin.) 



Breeding Notes. — This bird breeds throughout its range. 

 The eggs are laid on the bare rock, just above high water wash. 

 The number of eggs varies from one to three, usually two, and 

 are laid about the loth June. {Turner.) Dall found two nests on 

 the Shumagin Group June 23rd, 1872. In both cases the eggs 

 were placed directly on the gravel of the beach.; one contained 

 two eggs, the other one. Mr. John Fannin says that the eggs are ' 

 generally two and laid on the bare rocks close to the water. 



MUSEUM SPECIMENS. 



One specimen taken on Stubbs Island, off the west coast of 

 Vancouver Island, in August 1893, by Mr. W. Spreadborough. 

 Two eggs taken on Sea Bird Island, Barclay Sound, west coast of 

 Vancouver Island, by Dr. Newcombe, on June 1st, 1896. Also a 

 set taken on Mittlematch Island, off Valdez Island, in the' Gulf of 

 Georgia, by Mr. Percy Smith, in June 1895. 



