4 CHELONIAD A. 
on molluscea, fish, crustacea, sea-urchins, and various mare 
plants.” * 
Their jaws are strong, and firmly articulated. The 
horny beak, which so much resembles that of some birds 
as to have led to the application of the name of Hawk’s- 
billed Turtle to the species about to be described, is very 
hard, but the edge is sharp, in most cases toothed, and that 
of the lower jaw is received into a groove of the upper; so 
that the food taken between them is not only cut by the 
external sharp edges passing each other, but bruised by the 
pressure of the lower mandible against this upper groove 
and its internal margin. When not engaged in feeding, 
they are often seen floating without the slightest move- 
ment on the surface of the sea, sometimes at considerable 
distance from the land, apparently asleep; for they are at 
such times easily approached and taken. 
The annual resort of the various species of marie Tur- 
tles to the land for the purpose of depositing their eggs, is 
one of the most interesting points of their history. On the 
Island of Ascension, on the shores of the Gulf of Florida, 
and in many other places, innumerable multitudes of Tur- 
tles arrive at a period of the year differing somewhat in the 
different species, but in all during the early part of the 
summer. They resort to their favourite breeding-places 
from various parts, some even from a great distance; and 
there is reason to believe that each individual returns year 
after year to the same place. The following details of this 
operation, from the graphic pen of my friend Audubon, are 
so interesting that I offer no apology for inserting them 
without mutilation. 
‘On first nearing the shore, and mostly on fine calm 
moonlight nights, the Turtle raises her head above the 
* Audub. Amer. Ornith. Biog. II. p. 374. 
