OF NORTH AMERICA. 93 
107. TURNSTONE. CHICKEN PLOVER. 
CALICO-BACK. 
Arenaria interpres. 
The adult male in breeding plumage is 
dressed like a harlequin, the back being 
blotched with black, white, brown and chest- 
nut. The under side is pure white, broken 
by a broad patch of black upon the breast. 
The lower part of the back is white, with a 
black patch on the rump, and the tail is black 
bordered with white. The wings also, bear 
a large white patch. The head is mottled 
black, brown and white with a broad black 
patch on either side extending down to the 
sides of the neck and connecting with the 
breast patch. The colors of the female are 
similar but the chestnut color is replaced 
with brown, and the general effect not so 
bright. Immature and winter plumage 
mostly brown and gray. The bright colors 
of the back are generally a distinguishing 
feature sufficient for recognition. The bill 
is black. Feet orange. Ey es black. Length 
9 inches. Extent 18 inches. There is a 
variety on the Pacific coast in which the 
characteristic red color is replaced by black. 
These birds are found in nearly all quarters 
of the globe, and generally in small flocks of 
three to twelve, feeding upon the marine 
animals which it collects upon the shores by 
turning over the small stones, whence its 
name. ‘Their favorite haunts seem to be 
