BLACK OYSTEB-CATCHEB 501 



In San Lais Obispo County, Willett (1909, pp. 186-187) judged 

 that there were in 1909 twelve pairs breeding along fifteen miles of 

 coast. He says: 



The nests are difficult to locate, and even more difficult to reach after they 

 are located. This bird, like the Killdeer, makes the greatest outcry at a point 

 considerably distant from the nest, and the brooding bird will quietly slip 

 from the nest at the first intimation of danger and will appear on a point of 

 rock some distance away, where she will be joined by her mate. . . . The 

 nests are placed on the lea side of a rook or projection sheltered from the 

 prevailing wind, sometimes only a few feet above high water and at other 

 times far above the reach of the flying spray. They are shallow cavities in 

 the rock or thin soil, thickly lined with sharp chips of rock evidently carried 

 by the birds. Numerous scratches on the shells of the eggs show that they are 

 frequently turned over by the birds who rely to some extent on the heat of the 

 sun as an assistance in incubation. 



Heath (1915, p. 40) says that on Forrester Island, Alaska: 



The precocial fledglings very early accompanied their parents on short 

 journeys about the cliffs, and within a week after hatching were observed peck- 

 ing at limpets, although it is highly probable that for several days thereafter 

 they depended on the old birds for the greater part of their food supply. Dur- 

 ing this time the young resemble diminutive ostriches with thick-set legs, big 

 feet and fluffy plumage, which, it may be added, harmonizes to a high degree 

 with the surroundings. Furthermore they have the same habit of hiding the 

 head when it is not possible to conceal the entire body beneath a stone. From 

 the stomach contents of adults, and judging by the shells scattered about the 

 nests, the food of the black oystercatcher consists wholly of limpets. 



The name Oyster-catcher, as applied to these birds is somewhat 

 of a misnomer. They rarely feed upon oysters, as, especially on this 

 coast, they frequent localities where these bivalves are rare or absent, 

 and if they feed elsewhere upon oysters it is only upon the smaller 

 species and not upon the ones of commerce, which live in too deep 

 water to be secured by these birds. Other moUusks including such 

 forms as mussels, chitons, limpets, and young abalones seem to form 

 the principal item of their diet (Beck, MS; Willett, 1909, p. 187). 

 It is probable that the birds also use other sorts of marine animals for 

 food. 



The question of what constitutes a game bird comes up again in 

 the ease of the Oyster-catcher. Shall we define as game only the 

 species generally pursued for the excellence of their flesh or the excite- 

 ment afforded in hunting them, or shall we set off certain natural 

 groups in their entirety (as we do at present), and allow all of their 

 members to be legally pursued? It would seem better to alter the 

 present system somewhat and exclude certain members of our native 

 avifauna from the category of game birds. As the Black Oyster- 

 catcher is of peculiarly interesting structure and habits, limited in 



