TURNSTONE. 115 
usual breeding time, and as there is no reason to suppose 
that it ever nests on our own coast, the few that are 
occasionally seen here throughout the summer months 
are no doubt either immature specimens, or such, as 
from some cause or other, are not destined to “ increase 
and multiply.” 
In June, 1846, Mr. Dowell shot a pair at Blakeney, 
the only ones then remaining on that part of the 
coast ; and on the 4th of June, 1851, a single specimen 
was killed at Yarmouth. When staying at Hunstanton 
in 1863, I first noticed this species on the 25th of May, 
but never more than three or four together, and unlike 
the sanderlings, which were tame and plentiful enough, 
the turnstones were so shy that I failed to procure 
any, though much wanting specimens in summer 
plumage. By the end of May these small parties had 
shifted their quarters though the sanderlings still re- 
mained; but on the 10th and again on the 13th of 
June, I observed a single turnstone feeding by itself at 
low water, but so wary that it was only through a good 
glass that I could watch its actions. The flat sandy 
beach on this portion of the coast, must be particularly 
attractive to this species, strewn as it is with shells 
and sea-weeds, and abounding in the small crustaceans, 
marine-insects, and worms that constitute the main por- 
tion of their food. Their actions when feeding have been 
so minutely and accurately described by Audubon, as 
quoted by Macgillivray, and by Mr. Gould in his recent 
work on the “ Birds of Great Britain,”’ that it is needless 
to describe them here at any length, but the stone-turning 
habit from whence its name is derived, is no mere fiction 
of authors, but a fact to be realised at any time by an 
examination of the ground where these birds have been 
feeding. 
Never having handled a living or freshly killed speci- 
men, I have had no opportunity of examining “ the small 
Q 2 
