STREPSILID.E — THE TURNSTONES — STREPSILAS. 128 



In different parts of the United States it is known by various local appellations. 

 It is the '■ Brant Bird " of Long Island and some parts of New England, and is the 

 " Horse-foot Snipe " of Egg Harbor, where it is so called because it feeds on the 

 spawn of the Horse-foot crab. The young are there known as " Bead Birds." Giraud 

 states that it reaches the shores of Long Island early in April, and leaves for its 

 breeding-places late in May. It returns to the shores of Kew Jersey and Long 

 Island in September, and there continues until quite late in the fall. 



This bird is never seen in large companies, as its habits are rather solitary, and it 

 wanders singly or in small parties along the beach in search of insects and minute 

 shell-fish. Giraud adds that it is usually in fine condition in the fall, and is considered 

 a delicacy. According to Mr. N. B. Moore, many spend the winter in Florida. Al- 

 though it penetrates far north to breed, and is not knoAvn to do so in any part of 

 Florida, it may be seen along the shores of Sarasota Bay during every month in the 

 year. He met with a flock of eleven on the 20th of June, 1870, when their dress 

 was that of winter. After that he saw them almost every day for a month, during 

 which time their plumage remained as we find it in January. As the summer passed 

 on their numbers diminished, either by death or dispersion ; and by the time the 

 others had returned from the north — some of whom came in August, and were in 

 very gay plumage — this little band had dwindled down to only one or two. Their 

 plumage was neither worn nor faded, but displayed none of the summer tints, nor 

 did the birds themselves seem feeble. The question arises : Do birds, after they have 

 become old, effete, or barren, prefer to stay in a warm climate ? 



This species is said by jNIr. Moore to alight on the dead branches of mangroves, and 

 on the stumps and stakes w^hich stand in the water near the shore and from tw^o to 

 six feet above it ; and there they sit in the manner of the Carolina Dove. 



The naturalists of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition appear to have found the 

 Turnstone at home along the sea-coasts of the temperate and tropical regions of the 

 globe. It was common on many of the islands of the Pacific Ocean, north and south 

 of the Equator. None were in full plumage, and all were migrating. In the Kings- 

 mill group, near the Equator, it was seen in large flocks on the 24th of April. jSTine 

 were shot at a single discharge ; they were exceedingly fat. A specimen was killed 

 at Callao, Peru, in the month of June. One was taken in the Feejee Islands. Dr. 

 Pickering speaks of this bird as having been seen at nearly all the points visited 

 by the Expedition in North and South America, and in the islands of the Pacific 

 Ocean. 



In the Smithsonian Collection specimens have been received from Lake Winni- 

 peg, Big Island, Fort Eae, Fort Kesolution, Fort Anderson, the Lower Anderson 

 Ptiver, Plover Bay, Siberia, Xulato, Fort Simpson, etc. It is known to proceed as 

 far to the north to breed as man has yet penetrated, having been recorded by Dr. 

 Bessels as taken at Polaris Bay, and by Mr. Feilding, of the British Expedition of 

 1875-76, as tolerably common in Smith's Sound and in the most northern regions 

 visited by that Expedition. It was observed as late as Sept. 5, 1875, in lat. 82 ° 30' 

 N., and was first noticed on the 5th of June, 1876, in the neighborhood of the Avinter 

 quarters of the " Alert." By the 12th of August the young broods were able to fly. 



The Turnstone is called the " Hebridal Sandpiper " by Pennant and by Hearne, 

 and in parts of England it is known as the " Variegated Plover." Its habits are 

 peculiar, and differ in several respects from the manners of most Waders, resembling 

 rather those of the Sanderling. It feeds on the smaller crustaceans and the soft- 

 bodied animals which inhabit thin shells, turning over the stones on the beach in 

 search of them, or hunting among the sea-weed for its food. If not disturbed it 



