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weeks before thefe eggs are hatched. The female 
bird does not fit clofe, like many water-fowl; the 
leaves the eggs about ten o'clock in the morning, 
and does not return until about three in the after- 
_ noon: fhe fuffers the eggs to be warmed by the 
fun in the middle of the day. 
The little Oyfter-catchers, as foon as they 
leave the fhell, are covered with a black down: 
they can run in a few days; and then they hide 
themfelves fo well in the tufts of grafs, or other 
herbage, that it is very difficult to find them. 
The beak and feet of the Oyfter-catcher are of 
a beautiful red, like coral, 
Theouter and middle toes of the Oyfter-catcher 
are united until the firft joint, by a little web, or 
fkin, and they are all bordered with a membrane. 
The legs are ftrong and thick, and the feet are 
remarkable for the rough and fealy fkin which 
covers them, ‘Th eyelids are red, and under 
~ each eye is a little white fpot. The head, neck, 
and fhoulders are black. 
Though Oyfter-catchers be very wild in 
_ flocks, yet they are eafilytamed when taken young: 
they have been kept fo a long time. In the day 
__ they frequented ponds and ditches, but they would 

return of their own accord at night, and rooft with 
the ducks and the poultry, 
Expo or Part IU, 
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