This book reviews what is known about the behavior and population ecology of the oystercatcher. The plight of this popular shorebird highlights the many conflicts of interest in coastal zones, between human activities such as shellfishing, land reclamation, and industrial pollution, and the needs of wildlife for food and suitable habitats. As well as detailing the oystercatcher's natural history--including the well-known specialization in feeding technique shown by individuals--the authors use their field studies of individual variations in behavior to produce population models. This novel...