PIED OYSTER-CATCHER. 
17 
The female sits on her eggs only during the night, or in re- 
markably cold and rainy weather ; at other times the heat of the 
sun, and of the sand, which is sometimes great, renders incubation 
unnecessary. But although this is the case, she is not deficient in 
care or affection. She watches the spot with an attachment, anxie- 
ty and perseverance, that are really surprising, till tlie time arrives 
when her little offspring burst tlieir prisons, and follow the guiding 
voice^^f -thmr mother. When there is appearance of danger they 
sqiMVon.the sand, from which they are with difficulty distinguish- 
ed, while the parents make large circuits around the intruder, 
alighting sometimes on this hand, sometimes on that, uttering re- 
peated cries, and practising the common affectionate stratagem of 
counterfeited lameness to allure him from their young. 
These birds run and^fly with great vigor and velocity. Their 
note is a loud and shrill Avhistling xvheep — wheep — wheo, smartly 
uttWed. A flock will often rise, descend, and wheel in air with 
r^iiarkable regularity, as if drilled to the business, the glitter- 
ing white of their wings at such times being very conspicuous. 
They are more remarkable for this on their first arrival in the 
spring. Some time ago I received a stuffed specimen of the 
Oyster-catcher from a gentlemen of Boston, an experienced spoi-ts- 
man, who nevertheless was unacquainted with this bird. He in- 
formed me that two very old men to whom it was shown called it 
a HagdeL He adds, “ it was shot from a flock which was first 
discovered on the beach near the entrance of Boston liarbor. On 
the approach of the gunner they rose and instantly formed in line, 
like a corps of troops, and advanced in perfect order, keeping well 
dressed. They made a number of circuits in the air previous to 
being shot at, but wheeled in line ; and the man who fired into the 
flock, observed that all their evolutions were like a regularly or- 
ganized military company.” 
The Oyster-catcher will not only take to the water when 
wounded, but can also swim and dive well. This fact I can as- 
E 
VOL. VIII. 
