488 



GRALLATORES. 



SUBFAMILY VL 



CiNCLIN.E. 



The Turnstones. 



Gen Charac— Bill rather short and straight, with the culmen straight and 

 sometimes vaulted at the apical portion, the sides compressed to the tip, 

 which is obtuse or acute ; the nostrils placed in a membranous groove, with 

 the opening linear and longitudinal ; the wings lengthened, with the first 

 quill the longest ; the tail rather short ; the tarsi short, robust, and covered 

 with small scales ; the toes long, the lateral ones unequal and free at their 

 bases, the hind toe rather long, slender, and elevated. 





Fig. 175. — the Turnstone sandpiper. 

 (Ci)iclus interpres.) 



The Turnstones^ owing to their migratory habits, 

 are met with in most parts of the world. At certain 

 seasons of the year they frequent the sea-shores, 

 where they may be seen in small flocks of five or 

 six individuals following the retreating waves in 

 quest of shellfish, or searching amongst the sea- 

 weeds left by the tide for small Crustacea. The 

 females are said to deposit their eggs on the sand 

 of the sea-coast. 



