OYSTER-CATCHER. 
173 
of the other, the question of climate can scarcely hold good ; 
and, as to food, I have caused Oyster-catchers to be killed in 
Orkney, and notes taken of the contents of the stomachs during 
winter, and could never hear of their having fed upon anything 
AVhich might not have been procured in abundance in any 
part of Shetland at that same season. It is likely that our 
birds migrate to some more distant parts, for, according to 
^lessrs Baikie and Heddle, the number in Orkney is less in 
winter than in summer. In spring I have observed them in 
the very act of arriving, I think always from a southerly direc- 
tion, and they have always appeared to be much fatigued. 
They generally arrive soon after mid-day, — not in large flocks, 
but in small parties of half-a-dozen, or even less, keeping rather 
low, and making straight for their old haunts, where, if not much 
disturbed, they remain in a state of comparative inactivity for a 
day or two, displaying but little of their customary eagerness in 
their search for food, and often permitting a very near approach. 
In a locality so favourably situated for the purpose as Unst, 
it is easy to form an idea of the number of birds so cons^^icuous 
which visit it annually. No matter whether they have been 
molested or not during the previous season, the number return- 
ing is almost exactly the same every year. For many years 
I have observed a flock at the point of SwinaNess, numbering 
about eighteen, sometimes a little less, but never more. 
In Shetland, where it is not much interfered with, the Oyster- 
catcher is not very difficult to get near ; but after a few shots 
have been fired, the birds usually become wild for the rest of 
the season. The absence of extensive muddy or sandy flats 
prevents the formation of those large flocks so often seen in 
the south, and I have never observed gatherings of more than 
about twenty individuals before the autumn migration. It 
is well known that the Oyster-catcher when wounded will take 
to the water and swim well, sometimes even attempting to save 
itself by diving ; but I have also seen one of a small party on a 
rock surrounded by the sea deliberately jump off and swim 
about, carefully examining those parts which it could not other- 
