346 PLOVERS. 



where the sand soon dries, and there are no rocks on which Hmpcts can be 

 had, it follows the line of the water both in its retreat and its advance ; indeed, 

 it is sometimes a curious sight to watch these birds running to and fro, retiring 

 before every advancing wave, and rushing forward again as the beach is left 

 uncovered, so as to be ready to seize at once whatever is left by the receding 

 water. They seldom remove far from the shore, except, perhaps, in the winter, 

 when the cold is very severe, or when a violent and long-continued tempest 

 drives them to seek shelter among the lakes and marshes in the interior of the 

 country. 



Although the feet of the oyster-catcher are not particularly well adapted for 

 swimming, their toes present a sort of narrow callous margin, which enables 

 them at least to lloat upon the water ; they swim, as it were, passively, allowing 

 themselves to be washed hither and thither without making the slightest ctfort 

 to direct their course ; they never, therefore, swim out to sea, or quit the imme- 

 diate vicinity of the beach. Like the generality of shore birds, they are latlier 

 social than otherwise : during the breeding season they are only seen together 

 in pairs, but at other times they congregate in little parties, which are more 

 or less numerous. When the jjeriod arrives for them to commence their 

 migrations, these parties become collected together, so as to form considerable 

 flocks. They are able to tly well, and their (light can be prolonged for some 

 time; nevertheless, it does not appear that they ever take very long journeys. 

 They run with great swiftness, and sometimes utter a sharp, piercing cry, espe- 

 cially when on the wing, or when alarmed by the sudden appearance of any 

 strange object. 



Sub-Faviily VI. 

 THE TURNSTONES. CINCLIN/E, 



General Characteristics. — Bill rather short and straight, with the culmen straight 

 and sometimes vaulted at the apical portion, the sides compressed to the tip, which 

 is obtuse or acute ; the nostrils placed in a membranous groove, with the opening 

 linear and longitudinal; the wings lengthened, with the first quill the longest; the 

 tail rather short ; the tarsi short, robust, and covered with small scales ; the toes long, 

 the lateral ones unequal and free at their bases, the liind toe rather long, slender, 

 and elevated. 



The Turnstones, owing to their migratory habits, are met with 

 in most parts of the world. At certain seasons of the year they 

 frequent the sea-shores, where they may be seen in small flocks 

 of five or six individuals following the retreating waves in quest 

 of shell-fish, or searching amongst the seaweeds left by the tide 

 for small Crustacea. The females are said to deposit their eggs 

 on the sand of the sea-coast. 



The type of this sub-family — 



The Turnstone Sandpiper [Cindus iuicrprcs), is a regular annual visitor 



