AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 269 



BLACK TURNSTONE. 



A. O. U. No. 284. (Areiiaria melaiiocephala). 



This species is found only on our western coast. They are quite 

 abundant in Alaska but the majority of them must migrate through 

 Japan as they are not very common on the western coast of the United 

 States. Their habits are just like those of the common Turnstone 

 and they are often seen in company with them. They procure their 

 food in the same manner and are just as excited when their breeding 

 grounds are trespassed upon. Their eggs are very similar and often 

 indistinguishable. 



BIRD LIFE IN THE PINES, 



By C. Edwin Hopkixs. 



During the winter, early spring and late autumn, evergreen trees, 

 especially pines are great gathering places for birds of almost every 

 species. On days when there seems to be "nothing doing" in bird 

 life, I have always found an interesting group in the pines. There is 

 at least one reason for this and possibly two. In the first place ever- 

 greens offer much shelter during the cold weather, and because coni- 

 ferous trees are warmer, insects which seek shelter beneath the bark, 

 seem not to bury themselves as deep as they would in other trees and 

 hence may be more easily reached by the birds. I have frequently 

 seen Downy Woodpeckers, Brown Creepers, Cardinals, Blue Jays, 

 Juncos and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers and our other winter visitants 

 from the far north creeping up the trees, even on the coldest days, 

 seemingly enjoying a delicious meal of grubs which they found under 

 the bark. 



As spring advances, the pines shelter many migrants during the 

 chilly days of that season and the life in the pines will become more 

 interesting. As soon as the sap begins to creep up through the trees, 

 the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker and the Downy Woodpecker begin to 

 bore into the bark of the pines so that they may secure the insects 

 which are beginning to stir. Occasionally one may see the Downy, 

 cock his head to one side and place his ear to the tree, as a doctor ex- 

 amining his patient. Then if he hears any sounds of life within he 

 bores a hole and secures the grub. 



