THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
276 
eggs. Two or three, sometimes four or even five, varying consider¬ 
ably in the ground colour and distribution of the markings, a common 
type being pale green or brown, uniformly spotted and blotched with 
umber or dark olive-brown, and faint underlying markings of dull 
violet-grey. Breeding-season: October to January or February (Aus¬ 
tralia). 
30. Pied Oyster-catcher Hcvmatopus ostralegns Linnd 
Hce-mat'-o-pus— Gk, haimatos, blood; Gk, pons, foot: os-tral'-eg-us— 
Gk, ostreon, oyster; Gk, legein, to gather. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; occurs also in 
Europe, northern Africa, and Asia to the Moluccas, New Guinea, Aru 
Islands, and New Zealand. 
notes. Also called White-breasted Oyster-catcher, Black-and-white 
Oyster-catcher, Seapie, Olive, Rcdbill, and Torea. Usually singly or in 
pairs, occasionally in small parties of from four to eight, frequenting 
sea-shores. It prefers shores with stones and reef outcrops, where it 
obtains most of its food, consisting chiefly of small molluscs, crus¬ 
taceans, and other marine animals. Being a sociable bird, it is often 
seen in the company of other shore-roving species, such as Curlews 
and Sandpipers; it is exceptionally wary. 
nest. A depression in the sand; generally on the shore, above high- 
water mark. 
eggs. Two, pale stone-colour or brownish-white, covered with 
irregular-shaped spots, blotches, and short streaks of blackish-brown 
and umber and underlying markings of inky-grey; the colour, shape, 
and distribution of the markings vary considerably. Breeding-season: 
October to January (southern Australia); July to September (north¬ 
western Australia). 
31. Sooty Oyster-catcher Hcvmatopus unicolor Forster 
u'-ni-col-or— L., unicolor, of one colour. 
distribution. Australia generally, and Tasmania; occurs also in 
New Zealand. 
notes. Also called Black Oyster-catcher, Rcdbill, and Toreo-pango. 
Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting chiefly rocky shores, islands, 
and reefs. It is similar in habits and economy to the Pied Oyster- 
catcher, but is even more wary than that species. 
nest. A shallow depression in the sand, lined with pieces of herbage, 
dried grass, seaweed, fragments of coral, or broken shells. It generally 
breeds on islands and reefs, often on a grass-covered ledge, some height 
above the water. 
eggs. Two, rarely three, pale yellow-stone or pale brown, covered 
with irregular-shaped spots, blotches, and short streaks of blackish 
brown or dull black, and a few underlying markings of light brown 
and inky-grey. Breeding-season: October to January. 
