508 A PRACTICAL HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



and 5th and often continuous with white on inner web), remaining 

 primaries with proximal three-quarters of outer webs white, some- 

 times separated from, sometimes continuous with white inner web 

 (there is much individual variation in amount of white on primaries); 

 secondaries black, some tipped white, basal halves white, inner 

 feathers with more or less white on inner webs, those next inner- 

 most white, sometimes with oval black marks, innermost and their 

 coverts as scapulars, one next white inner secondaries often tipped 

 white and more or less white towards base of inner web ; primary- 

 coverts black, innermost tipped white ; bastard-wing black ; 

 greater coverts white ; median and lesser coverts as mantle, some 

 median with narrow white fringes, lower ones broadly edged white. 

 This plumage is acquired by complete moult July to Dec. Summer. 

 — The body-feathers (not all scapulars), sometimes central pair and 

 sometimes other tail-feathers, some innermost secondaries and 



The Oyster-Catcher (Hcematopus o. ostralegus). Adult, winter. 



coverts, some median and lesser coverts are moulted Jan. to May 

 but not rest of wings and aj^parently not rest of tail. Coloration as 

 winter but chin and throat black, feathers of throat with white 

 bases. 



Nestling (Plate 8). — Down on crown dusky-black tipped 

 greyish-white and buff and irregularly mottled black with an ill- 

 defined black median streak extending on to nape ; nape dusky- 

 black tipped buff ; mantle dusky-black tipped greyish-white and 

 warm buff (latter colour predominating) and with two irregular 

 black bands down centre of back ; an irregular blackish line across 

 wing, another extending from below wing to uropygial tuft ; uropy- 

 gial tuft black tipped warm buff ; a black line from behind eye to 

 nape ; cheeks, sides of neck, chin and throat dusky-black faintly 

 tipped light buff ; remaining under -parts white ; down on back of 

 thighs dusky, tipped buff. 



Juvenile. Male and female.- — As adult summer but mantle 

 and scapulars tinged brown and feathers mostly margined warm 



