154 Wild Birds and their Haunts 



THE TURNSTONE 

 (STREPSILAS INTERPRES) 



THIS bird, which is sometimes called the Hebridal 

 Sandpiper, and by others the Sea Dotterel, is only 

 a winter visitant to the British Isles. 



It breeds in the north of Europe, and in the cold lati- 

 tudes of both hemispheres, migrating late in spring from 

 this country. From the time of its return during winter 

 and early spring it may be found in small parties along 

 the shores, frequenting chiefly those parts where there are 

 jutting-out ledges of rock, or the smaller rocky islands. 



It feeds on nearly the same substances as the Maritime 

 Dotterels ; but, as the name implies, it actively turns over 

 the small stones and other bodies on the feeding ground 

 in search of prey ; and it is probable that this is more con- 

 fined to the particular animals that hide or live under 

 cover. 



The flight is rapid, and a shrill peculiar whistle is uttered 

 during it, or when suddenly startled which easily betrays 

 its presence if associated with the sandpipers or dotterels. 



No very authentic account of its breeding in our islands 

 has been given, but it has been conjectured that it makes 

 its haunt as near as Zetland from the fact that it is seen 

 there all the year round. Its nest has often been seen also 

 in Norway. It invariably takes a wide range for its 

 breeding zone, viz., from the Cape of Good Hope, thence 

 to New Guinea and the Straits of Magellan. 



The adult breeding plumage is beautifully variegated 

 with black, white, and chestnut. The forehead, eye- 

 brows, around the auricular s, lower part of the back and 

 upper tail-coverts, throat, belly, vent, and under tail- 

 coverts, are pure white ; the crown of the head is black, 

 and is relieved by the edges of the feathers being yellow- 

 ish ; but the auricular feathers streak from the base 

 maxilla stretching down the neck, surrounding the white 

 of the throat, and occupying the whole breast (the white 

 of the other lower part running up in the centre to a 



