OYSTER CATCHER. 145 



spring and depart in the autumn, as soon as its young become 

 full grown and have moulted. About the end of August 

 it disappears, and this migration of the most northern con- 

 tinues no longer than the month of October ; by the end of 

 March and April it returns to its breeding-ground. During 

 the time of migration the flocks amount sometimes to 

 several hundreds, which fly in the same manner as wild 

 geese, being headed by one bird, and extending in two open- 

 ing, slanting lines ; they fly at that time at a great elevation, 

 as well during the day as the night season. The clatter of 

 their voices may generally be heard at a great distance, and 

 is by far more clamorous when they fly in an irregular man- 

 ner, which sometimes happens through some accidental dis- 

 turbance, than when their flight is performed in the before- 

 mentioned regular order. 



That the principal locality inhabited by the Oyster Catcher 

 is the sea-coast is already sufficiently explained, but we 

 have to add that the favourite ground on which the bird 

 passes its time during the day, is where a soft black surface of 

 mud covers the sandy or stony bottom thinly; or where scant 

 patches of grass and marine vegetation are intermixed with 

 humid spots, and the ground here and there broken by the 

 ebb and flow of the tide. 



During high water the bird passes its time on the nearest 

 meadows or cornfields, but as soon as the tide turns it seeks 

 the newly-furnished, uncovered flats, where its table is again 

 richly supplied with food of great choice. 



The general appearance of the Oyster Catcher is peculiar 

 and rather handsome, and for its usual attitude we must 

 refer our readers to our Plate. When on the ground, it runs 

 like the sandpipers with easy and short steps, although it is 

 well able to run fast if required ; it swims readily, but to no 

 great distance, and dives when danger prompts it to do so. 



