CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATURAL HISTOEY OF ALASKA. 151 



I did not observe this bird west of Belkovsky and believe that the island of Sannakh is its 

 most western limit of range. 



The natives of Unalashka, who go to Sannakh Island every year to hunt sea-otters, say that it 

 does not occur at Unalashka and other islands west of the mainland. 



287. ELematopus bachmani Aud. Black Oyster- catcher. 



The Black Oyster-catcher is found on the islands of Alaska that lie south of the peninsula of 

 Aliaska, as far east as the Shumagin Group, and to the westward as far as Kiska Island of the Aleu- 

 tian Chain, and is a constant resident of this area. I observed this bird on the peninsula, but only 

 on the south side of it. The low, marshy character of the northern side of Aliaska precludes the pos- 

 sibility of its occurrence there, as it invariably frequents the rocky reefs and water-washed rocks 

 that lie out from the main body of the island or shore; and, is strictly littoral, never on any occasion 

 going inland; and in its flight invariably flying over water. 



The flight consists of a few rapid strokes of the wing, followed by a sail for a few yards. It is 

 sluggish when on the wing, and flies with difficulty, and rarely long continued. When alarmed it 

 flies over the water within few yards of the shore, and in going from one point of rocks to another it 

 either makes the trip in easy stages from one large rock to another, or else follows the indentations of 

 the shore line. The bird is always on the alert, and not at all shy. It generally sees the hunter long 

 before he suspects the presence of the bird. The bird either squats in a depression of the rocks, or 

 stealthily creeps to the top of some huge bowlder, where it utters a piercing, whistling chatter like that 

 of a policeman's rattle. It causes the intruder long search to discover the presence of the bird, for its 

 color is so near that of the rocks it frequents that it is not easily detected. The note is then answered 

 by another bird, so that in a few minutes a dozen may be chattering hideously, making the hunter 

 wonder where all the birds came from so suddenly, as all the birds within hearing assemble on the 

 first note of alarm. 



The Black Oyster-catcher is universally detested by both white and native hunters, as it fre- 

 quents just those places most resorted to by seals and sea-otters, so that on the approach of a hunter 

 to obtain those animals the bird is certain to give the alarm and cause the animal to disappear 

 into the water. 



I once procured a less than half-grown bird of this species, and if any one would like to have 

 one it can be gotten up in the following manner: Take the hinder half of a black kitten, dip about 

 four inches of its tail in red paint, then fasten to the legs a piece of tallow candle about four inches 

 long, jab the wick end of the candle down hard on the floor to spread it out for feet. Stand it up 

 and heave a boot-jack at it to give the desired animation, and a good representation of a young 

 Black Oyster-catcher will be produced, for a more comical object than a toddling Oyster-catcher is 

 difficult to conceive. 



The one I had was put in the house until an opportunity offered to preserve its skin. It always 

 greeted the opening or shutting of the door with its deafening noise. At night it became lonely 

 and attempted to sing a song. I got up from bed to quiet it, and succeeded ouly as long as I re- 

 mained out of bed. Neither the bird nor I slept that night. By early dawn it migrated to another 

 building from which it escaped when I unguardedly left the door open. 



The food of the Black Oyster-catcher consists entirely of whelks, limpets, and other similarly 

 shaped shell-fish that adhere to the rocks. The crops of many of these birds were opened, and in 

 only one instance did I find anything of a vegetable nature, aud that was supposed to be pieces of 

 sea-weed. 



The feet are well adapted to a secure footing on the slimy rocks. The horny pectinations on 

 the toes give additional security. It backs up a slippery, inclined rock when it wishes to change 

 position ; hence the necessity of only three toes. 



This bird breeds on all the area mentioned. 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 10th of June. The exact time of incubation is not known to me, but the young are able to 

 walk about soon after hatching, and fly about the middle of August. The coloration of the young 

 bird is the same as that of the adult, with the exception of the bill, which is lighter colored at the 



