TURNSTONE. 13 



The Turnstone lives almost exclusively on the coast, preferring those 

 that are bold and rocky; nevertheless it is often found on low sandy 

 shores, or mud-flats, and at the mouths of large rivers. It seldom goes far 

 from water, living on the beach, picking up its food amongst the debris on 

 the shore, or turning over the pebbles and shells that lie scattered about 

 on the sands. In this country it is frequently observed in little parties, 

 or perhaps more frequently in pairs, which sometimes associate with other 

 wading birds. It is a very active little creature, running incessantly 

 about the sand and rocks, tripping over the masses of stranded seaweed, 

 and peering into all the little nooks and crevices in eager search for food. 

 Sometimes it runs a few feet with great rapidity, then pauses motion- 

 less for a moment, as if listening intently, then darts ofl' again either to 

 the right or left. It is not a very shy bird, but is rather wary, and 

 generally takes wing if it is approached very closely. Its flight is rapid, 

 and it seldom rises more than a few feet from the ground, the wings 

 being beaten rapidly, then held motionless for a short time while it 

 skims along a little Avay and tlien flaps its wings again. The Turn- 

 stone does not entirely confine itself to running about the shore or 

 flying from place to place, for it was observed by Mr, Hume to swim with 

 ease, sitting gracefully on the water outside the foaming breakers, ever and 

 anon rising and flying a little way, then again settling on the waves. It is 

 also fond of alighting on an elevated place ; and Swinhoe observed it in 

 China sitting on the fishing-stakes, and ranged in rows on the ropes that 

 were spread between them. The Turnstone possesses the peculiar habit 

 of turning over small pebbles, shells, or any other objects lying on the 

 beach, to search for the various small marine animals that lurk beneath 

 them. From this singular trait its bill has probably become modified 

 into its aberrant form. Edwards, the " Scotch naturalist,^' relates some 

 very interesting particulars concerning the actions of three Turnstones 

 which he observed on the Banftshire coast. They tried for a long time 

 to overturn a stranded fish, and eventually accomplished the task by 

 undermining it on one side, and then regaled themselves on the food 

 that was lurking underneath. Audubon noticed that the birds often 

 used their breasts as well as their bills in turning over an unusually 

 large object. 



The food of the Turnstone is principally composed of small crustaceans, 

 sand-worms, and little shells. To this fare is doubtless added many other 

 small marine animals which the bird incessantly meets with in its search 

 amongst the shingle and debris of the shore. 



The call-note of the Turnstone is a clear loud shrill whistle, bearinir 

 some resemblance to the call-notes of the Golden and Grey Plovers, which 

 may be represented by the syllable kU or keet. It has also a double note, 

 wliich may be represented by the syllables kitter, and not unfrcqucntly the 



