PIED OYSTER-CATCHER. 17 



The female sits on her eggs only during the night, or in re- 

 markably cold and rainy weather; at other times the heat of the 

 sun and of the sand, which is sometimes great, renders incubation 

 unnecessary. But although this is the case, she is not deficient in 

 care or affection. She watches the spot with an attachment, anxie- 

 ty and perseverance that are really surprising, till the time arrives 

 when her little offspring burst their prisons, and follow the guiding 

 voice of their mother. When there is appearance of danger they 

 squat on the sand, from which they are with difficulty distinguish- 

 ed, while the parents make large circuits around the intruder, 

 alighting sometimes on this hand, sometimes on that, uttering re- 

 peated cries, and practising the common affectionate stratagem of 

 counterfeited lameness to allure him from their young. 



These birds run and fly with great vigor and velocity. Their 

 note is a loud and shrill whistling wheep — wheep — wheoj smartly 

 uttered. A flock will often rise, descend, and wheel in air with 

 remarkable regularity, as if drilled to the business, the glitter- 

 ing white of their wings at such times being very conspicuous. 

 They are more remarkable for this on their first arrival in the 

 spring. Some time ago I received a stuffed specimen of the 

 Oyster-catcher from a gentleman of Boston, an experienced sports- 

 man, who nevertheless was unacquainted with this bird. He in- 

 formed me that two very old men to whom it was shewn called it 

 a HagdeL He adds, " it was shot from a flock which was first 

 discovered on the beach near the entrance of Boston harbour. On 

 the approach of the gunner they rose and instantly formed in line, 

 like a corps of troops, and advanced in perfect order, keeping well 

 dressed. They made a number of circuits in the air previous to 

 being shot at, but wheeled in line ; and the man who fired into the 

 flock, observed that all their evolutions were like a regularly or- 

 ganized military company." 



The Oyster-catcher will not only take to the water when 

 wounded, but can also swim and dive well. This fact I can as* 



VOL. VIII. E 



