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oyster-catcher

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“

Here a few terns rear their young, and succeeding generations of the sooty oyster-catcher lay their eggs just out of the reach of high-tide.

—Confessions of a Beachcomber

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Definitions (1)

American Heritage Dictionary

Century Dictionary (1)

A maritime wading bird of the family Hæmatopodidæ: so called from the habit of feeding upon small oysters and other mollusks. There are several species, found on the sea-coast of most countries, all of the single genus Hæmatopus, about 18 inches long and 30 inches in extent of wings, with stout red or bright-colored bill and feet, and the plumage either party-colored with black and white or entirely blackish. The common European oyster-catcher, H. ostrilegus; has the head, neck, and most of the upper parts glossy-black, the under parts, rump, and parts of the wings and tail white. It is very widely distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The American oyster-catcher is a similar but distinct species, H. palliatus, having the back smoky-brown in contrast to the black head. It is common along the Atlantic coast. H. niger, the black oyster-catcher, inhabits the Pacific coast. See cut under Hæmatopus.

GNU Webster's 1913

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Examples (20)

Perhaps he may wait for an hour or even two hours and see nothing, not even an oyster-catcher. — Beatrice
"That's oyster-catcher, Master Fred, as you well know. — Crown and Sceptre A West Country Story
Protozoa to birds like the oyster-catcher and mammals like the seals. — The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) A Plain Story Simply Told
The oyster-catcher, which is a somewhat rare bird, has been observed only on Lake Neyriz. — The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 5. (of 7): Persia The History, Geography, And Antiquities Of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, And Sassanian or New Persian Empire; With Maps and Illustrations.
-- 'If it doesn't rain today or tomorrow,' said the oyster-catcher, 'there'll be a dead mussel here.' — The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19

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