276 
THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
Eggs. — Two or three, sometimes four or even five, varying consider- 
ably in the ground colour and distribution of the markings, a common 
type being pale green or brown, uniformly spotted and blotched with 
umber or dark olive-brown, and faint underlying markings of dull violet- 
grey. Breeding-season: October to January or February (Australia). 
30. Pied Oyster-catcher Hcematopus ostralegus Linne 
Hce-mat'-o-pus — Gk, hairnatos, blood; Gk, pous, foot: os-tral -eg-us Gk, 
ostreon, oyster; Gk, legem, to gather. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; occurs also in 
Europe, northern Africa, and Asia to the Moluccas, New Guinea, Aru 
Islands, and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called White-breasted Oyster-catcher, Black-and-white 
Oyster-catcher, Seapie, Olive, Redbill, and Torea. Usually singly or in 
pairs, occasionally in small parties of from four to eight, frequenting sea- 
shores. It prefers shores with stones and reef outcrops, where it obtains 
most of its food, consisting chiefly of small molluscs, crustaceans, and other 
marine animals. Being a sociable bird, it is often seen in the company of 
other shore-roving species, such as Curlews and Sandpipers ; it is 
exceptionally wary. 
Nest. — A depression in the sand ; generally on the shore, above high- 
water mark. 
Eggs. — Two, pale stone-colour or brownish-white, covered with 
irregular-shaped spots, blotches, and short streaks of blackish-brown and 
umber and underlying markings of inky-grey; the colour, shape, and 
distribution of the markings vary considerably. Breeding-season : 
October to January (southern Australia) ; July to September (north- 
western Australia). 
31. Sooty Oyster-catcher Hcematopus unicolor Forster 
u-ni-col-or — L., unicolor, of one colour. 
Distribution. — Australia generally, and Tasmania; occurs also in 
New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Black Oyster-catcher, Redbill, and Toreo-pango. 
Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting chiefly rocky shores, islands, and 
reefs. ' It is similar in habits and economy to the Pied Oyster-catcher, but 
is even more wary than that species. 
Nest. — A shallow depression in the sand, lined with pieces of herbage, 
dried grass, seaweed, fragments of coral, or broken shells. It generally 
breeds on islands and reefs, often on a grass-covered ledge, some height 
above the water. 
Eggs.— Two, rarely three, pale yellow-stone or pale brown, covered 
with irregular-shaped spots, blotches, and short streaks of blackish-brown 
or dull black, and a few underlying markings of light brown and inky- 
grey* Breeding-season: October to January. 
