558 THE TURNSTONE. 



species before me is the Turnstone [Strepsilas hiterpres)^ 

 found in every continent of the world, and decidedly the 

 most brightly colored bird of our shores. The gunners on 

 the coast call it the " Calico Plover." About 9.00 long, its 

 shape bears quite a resemblance to that of the Plover, ex- 

 cept that its bill, which is shorter than the head, is stout, its 

 tapering point turning up a little, that its legs are quite 

 short, and that it has a well developed hind toe. The up- 

 per parts are variously marked with black, rich brown, 

 rufous, and a little white; the head and neck are white, 

 thickly and pretty distinctly spotted with black; the fore 

 part of the neck and the sides of the breast are jet-black; 

 the throat, under parts, under sides of the wings, lower 

 back, longer tail-coverts, base of the tail and the quills, 

 clear white; feet and legs, bright orange. This is the mark- 

 ing of the mature bird in summer, but it varies greatly with 

 the seasons and the age of the bird, the colors and markings 

 becoming quite obscure in extreme cases. The species can 

 always be determined, however, by the peculiarities of form 

 above noted. Of the two specimens now before me, one 

 is quite strongly colored, while the other is very indistinct. 

 Still looking through the glass, the birds seem just before 

 me — almost near enough to be touched — and as they have 

 not the slightest suspicion of my presence, they are acting 

 themselves out fully. Some one has watched this bird be- 

 fore me, as is evident from its name. Turnstone, indeed, 

 it is, turning over, with its bill, pebbles, shells, small sticks, 

 weeds, and bits of rubbish of all kinds, to find its food 

 of insects, worms, small mollusks and crustaceans. Its 

 stout bill makes a good lever, its short legs give it a strong 

 purchase, and its long toes give it a firm and easy step on 

 the most uneven surface. As it takes wing I notice that its 

 flight and general appearance in the air is almost precisely 



