157 
secondaries. In highest plumage, fine, sparse, white streakings on face, down sides of neck 
and across breast, aggregating into a vague forehead bar, superciliary line, and loral spot 
(Figure 183). These white specklings absent in many 
cases. In autumn and winter the black duller and juven- 
iles with faint white edgings on back feathers. 
Distinctions. A black and white Wader in uniform 
over-all masses; can be mistaken for no other species. 
Field Marks. A black and white Wader coloured in 
broad masses. Has same white rump and lower back and 
uppertail coverts separated by black band as has the 
Ruddy Turnstone. Shows considerable white in wings in 
flight. 
Distribution. Pacific coast of North America. Breeds 
in northwest Alaska and migrates down the coast, wintering 
from British Columbia to lower California. Never met 
with inland. 
Figure 183 
Black Turnstone; scale, J. 
The Black Turnstone occurs in great flocks along our west coast from 
late summer until the following spring. It is the commonest and most 
generally distributed Wader of the coast. It frequents stony and rocky 
shores rather than sand or mud. 
FAMILY H AE MATOPODI DAE . OYSTER-CATCHERS 
General Description. Large Shore Birds more heavily built than is usual in the order; 
bill stout and horny, extraordinarily flattened laterally (sideways) at tip. There is only 
one species that occurs in western Canada and it is confined to the coast. 
287. Black Oyster-catcher. Haematopus bachmani. L, about 17. A large all- 
black bird with long, extraordinarily flattened red bill and pink legs. 
Distinctions. Not to be mistaken for any other species. 
Field Marks. Large, black bird, nearly as large as a Crow, with conspicuous long, red 
bill (Figure 184). 
Figure 184 
Oyster-catcher; scale, about J. 
Distribution. Pacific coast of North America, from Aleutian islands to Lower Cali- 
fornia, breeds throughout most of its range. Winters from British Columbia southward. 
This big, showy bird is found along most of our coast and prefers 
rocky shores and the boiling surf to mud or sandy flats. 
Order — Gallinae. Gallinaceous Birds. Scratching Birds 
As the name implies, these birds are adapted for securing their food 
by scratching the ground. The best popular representatives are the com- 
mon barnyard fowl. They are found in almost every country on the globe. 
In Canada we have native only one suborder of the group, Phasiani, the 
True Fowls. 
