CLASS IL 
AVES: 
ORDER 7. GRALLATORES. 
293 
THE BALCENICEP3. 
slight!}' bent upward, pentagonal at the base, and compressed into a tliin plate toward tlie apex, 
which is abruptly truncated. It is a handsome bird, about eighteen inches in length ; its plum- 
age is yariegated with black and white, whence the name of Sea-Pie, which is occasionally ap- 
plied to it in England. It is commonly found on the sea-coasts, where it wades about seeking 
its food, consisting principally of mollusca and young crabs. It is said to detach limpets from the 
rocks with great facility, and its bill, from its peculiar form, appears particularly adapted for open- 
ing large bivalves, such as the oyster, and from this, no doubt, its common English name is derived. 
It appears, however, that it generally contents itself with the smaller bivalves, which it is able to 
swallow whole, together with worms and marine insects. 
The Finns hold this bird in detestation, for they say it gives notice to the seals when the hrmters 
are approaching. It is distributed throughout Europe in summer, but is stationary in England, 
Southern Europe, and North Africa. It pairs in spring and unites in flocks in winter. 
The Ameeican Oyster-Catcher, H. 2^cLilicttus, is seventeen inches long ; above black and ash- 
color", beneath white; feeds on oysters and marine bivalves; breeds from Texas to Labrador; 
common on our Atlantic coasts; sometimes called Flood Gull; flesh tough and unsavory. 
Bachman's Oyster-Catcher, H. niger, is found on the Northwestern coast of North America, 
There is, perhaps, another species in -the same regions — H. ater of Baird, H. Townsendi of 
Audubon. 
(7e?ZMS STREPSILAS : iStrepsilas, — This includes the J'?inzstowe.9, which receive their name 
from their habit of turning over the stones with their bills, as they walk along the sea-shores, 
to find insects and small Crustacea, on which they feed. The Common Turnstone of Europe, 
