THE OYSTER CATCHER. 
107' 
and white beneath ; a small oblong head, set upon a longish 
neck ; stout and yet longish legs, and short and rounded tail. 
Such is the Oyster Catcher, whose habits may to a great 
extent be inferred from its name : a haunter of the sea- 
shore, and a feeder upon the molluscous animals which are 
there found ; inserting the truncated edge of its wedge- 
like beak between the two portions of a bivalve shell, 
such as the cockle and the oyster, it contrives to open them, 
and feast upon the delicate contents. Seiby says that it is 
^ a handsome bird when seen upon the wing, from the well- 
marked contrast, and the purity of the black and white 
colours of its plumage; it runs with rapidity, and can 
swim and dive with ease ; may frequently be seen to swim 
short distances when searching for its food, but seldom 
dives, unless to avoid or escape an enemy.' 
A slight hollow among the gravel or pebbles, above high- 
water mark, suffices for the nest of this bird ; the eggs are 
generally three, sometimes four in number, of a pale 
greyish yellow colour, spotted and blotched all over with 
brown of several shades. While reposing,' says Macgil- 
livray, * the Sea Pie stands with its legs quite straight, or 
uses one leg only, the^other being drawn up ; the body hori- 
zontal, the neck retracted, the head either directed forward, 
or with the bill buried among the feathers of the back. In 
OYSTER CATCHER. 
