THE OYSTER-CATCHER. 
129 
plumage of our British species bearing some re- 
semblance to that of the Magpie. They lire by 
the sea-side, feeding on marine insects, for which 
they may he seen actively searching at low water. 
Their name of Oyster-Catcher is also derived from 
their expertness in extracting the oyster, which how- 
ever can he done only when the shell is open, and 
not even then without great caution ; for instances 
have been known of the unfortunate bird being 
made prisoner by the oyster closing upon its beak. 
Its eggs are laid on the bare ground, for the nest, 
if it deserves to be so called, consists only of small 
shingle and shells thrown up by the sea, so little 
above high-water mark, that in high spring-tides 
they are frequently swept away. When taken 
young, they may be easily tamed, and we have been 
surprised that they are not more frequently intro- 
duced into our pleasure-grounds. We remember 
seeing very considerable numbers of them, some 
years ago, on the lawn of the Pavilion at Brighton, 
collected by order of his late Majesty George the 
Fourth, where they were running about with the 
tameness and familiarity of poultry. Nothing could 
be more ornamental than their smart pieballed glossy 
coats, in contrast with their long, bright, orange 
beaks and legs, and crimson irides* 
VOL. II. 
K 
