8 
BRITISH BIRDS. 
as on other kinds of ihell-fifli, fea-worms and infefts. 
The hides are of a lake-coloured red j orbits orangey 
under eye-lids white, and (in many fpecimens) a 
crefcent-lhaped ftroke of this colour crolfes the* 
throat; the head, neck, upper part of the back, 
fcapulars, leffer coverts of the wings and end of 
the tail are black ; the quills, in fome, are of a 
dark brown, ftriped lefs or more in the middle 
and in the inner webs with white ; the fecondary 
quills are white towards their bafe, and the unco- 
vered points black, narrowly edged with white ; the 
breaft, belly, vent, upper half of the tail, lower part 
of the back and greater wing coverts are white; 
the legs and feet are of a pale red, fhort and flrong; 
the toes, three in number, are each furrounded 
with a membraneous edge, and covered with a hard, 
fcaly ikin, which enables the bird to climb and 
traverfe the rough and lharp fhell-covered rocks, in 
quell of prey, without injury. 
Although the Oyller-catcher is not provided with 
powers fitted for an expert fwimmer, yet it does not 
Ihew any averfion to taking the water, upon which 
it may be faid to float rather than fwim. Thefe 
birds are the conllant inhabitants of the fea-lhores, 
and are feldom found inland. In winter, they af- 
femble in flocks, are then Ihy and wild ; and are 
feen in pairs, only in the breeding-feafon and in the 
fummer. The female depofits her eggs in an open 
and dry fituation, out of tide mark, Iheltered merely 
