THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. 
Study of juvenile-skins does not avail much, as the biU in the nestling 
is quite characteristic though much unlike that of the adult ; the figures here 
given show its pecuhar features. 
The metatarsus of the nesthng is covered throughout with hexagonal 
scales as in the adult ; this is worthy of remark, as will be shown hereafter in 
connection with the succeeding groups. 
The present genus indicates one of the idiosyncrasies of those who based 
their genera upon structural features, for though Reichenbach split the genus 
into three, these were immediately lumped again as no structural differences 
could be observed. The forms of “ Sooty ” Oystercatcher living in South 
America however, have a very peculiar-shaped biQ, which has often been 
noted. No systematist has, however, dared separate them : yet very much 
slighter differences are made the basis of generic names among the 
Passeriformes, by most conservative workers. I am unable to appreciate 
such inconsistent grouping, and therefore propose for the Falkland Island 
Oystercatcher, called H. quoyi Brabourne and Chubb, the subgeneric term 
PR0HJEMAT0PTJ8. This name may suggest the structural relationship this 
bird seems to bear to the genus Hcematopus, as in it the bill-characters 
observed in the nestling seem to be perpetuated and exaggerated, while 
in typical H. ostralegus they disappear while the bird is still in its 
downy state. 
It might be also noted that Oystercatchers do not lay the pear-shaped eggs 
typical of Limicoline birds, and generally seem ill-classed -^as such. Their 
distribution as a group is peculiar, and they are well worth detailed study 
from every point of view. 
Thus H. ostralegus breeds in Northern Europe, and wintering southwards 
as far as North Africa, does not appear to breed in Africa ; birds of this 
species are not uncommon in North-west India, but their breeding-place is 
unknown ; recurs on the shores of North China, though absent from the 
Phihppines ; breeds all round the shores of Australia and New Zealand, and 
has also been found on some of the Moluccan Islands. The New World 
forms somewhat differ, though the Falkland Island Pied Oystercatcher is 
approached by the South Austrahan and New Zealand races. 
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