IP ILi .A. T 1 IE xliii 



GENUS H^EMATOPUS {Linnmis). 



mHE Oyster Catchers are so universally distributed that it is doubtful whether they are wanting in any 

 J- country of the world. At the same time there is a wide difference between the species found in the 

 Northern and those in the Southern Hemispheres. 



Two species are known to inhabit Australia. As their name would suggest, they affect the sea coast, 

 especially where the rocky shore line is exposed by every receding tide, which leaves quantities of kelp and 

 corallines behind imprisoned in fissures, and with them molluscs, crustaceans, and other small inhabitants of the 

 sea. These form the food of the Oyster Catcher. In the breeding season they sometimes go up rivers, and lay 

 their eggs on the shingle beyond high-water mark. In some species there are slight seasonal changes of plumage, 

 particularly in the colour of the throat. 



H^MATOPUS LONGIROSTPIS (vieiiiot). 



WHITE-BREASTED OYSTER CATCHER. Genus: H.ematopus. 



WITH the exception of the interior, and one or two inland districts, this Oyster Catcher is universally 

 distributed over Australia and Tasmania, and is particularly abundant in the latter Colony, the islands 

 of Bass's Straits, and on the Coast of Western Australia. 



Tidal muddy flats, sandy bays, estuaries, lagoons, the mouths of rivers, and marshes are jits favorite 

 resorts. In such places it may be seen during the greater part of the year in small companies of from three to 

 ten or more, associating with the Sooty Oyster Catcher, Curlews, Whimbrels, Stints, Sandpipers, and other 

 shore birds, all intent upon securing the flotsam and jetsam of falling tides in the matter of molluscs and other 

 marine animals. 



The bleeding season lasts from September to January, when these birds resort to small islands 

 and rocky promontories, where they lay their eggs and rear their young. From two to three eggs 

 are laid on the bare ground, close to the water's edge ; the colour is a buffy stone, marked all over 

 with large irregular blotches of dark chestnut-brown ; measurements, 2 inches 3 lines ; breadth, 1 inch 

 1\ lines. 



The young birds are very soon capable of taking care of themselves, and if danger approaches 

 hide themselves behind a stone or in a crevice of the rocks, while the parents draw the intruder 

 away by uttering loud cries and riving in a contrary direction. 



There is no difference in the appearance of the sexes when full-grown ; but the young ones 

 from the time they are half-grown till they reach maturity, are easily distinguishable by having each 

 black feathers of the wings and back edged with brown, which form circular marks and bars on nearly 

 the whole of the upper surface. 



Head, neck, breast, and upper surfaces, deep greenish-black ; the tips of the wing-coverts, 

 abdomen, rump, upper and under tail-coverts, and the bases of the tail feathers, pure white ; irides, 

 crimson ; bill and eyelash, orange-scarlet ; feet, light brick-red. 



Habitats : The whole of Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea, except Derby (X.W.A.), Dawson 

 River (G.B.), and the Interior. 



