304 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



shafts; upper wing-coverts fjreyish brown, crossed by a white bar; breast 

 black ; rest of the underparts white. 



Iris brown ; bill blackish ; feet reddish-orange. 



Total length 8'50 inches, wing 6'10, culmen 1, tarsus 1. 



Adult female, June, from DJerba, South Tunisia. 



Head and nape whitish, mottled and striped with gi'ey and brown 

 mantle, scapulars, and upper wing-coverts blackish, variegated with whitish 

 and pale rufous ; rump, upper tail-coverts, tail and quills as in the male 

 breast and sides of the neck and throat dark greyish-brown, with a paler 

 yellowish patch on each side ; throat, middle of the breast and rest of the 

 underparts white. 



Soft parts as in the male ; measurements rather less. 



The Turnstone is not uncommon in Tunisia during the periods 

 of migration, and according to Blanc, is partially resident and to be 

 met with in the Begency throughout the year. He informs me that 

 he has found the species during the summer months on the south- 

 east coast, and has sent me a female example, obtained in June, on 

 the Island of Djerba. This is the specimen I have described above. 



According to Loche the Turnstone is to be found in Algeria only 

 during the periods of passage. 



The species is not uncommon in Marocco, and I have several 

 examples of it obtained in the vicinity of Eabat in the month of 

 April. It occurs in the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores. The 

 species is abundant in spring, in Spain, and in the Lilford collection 

 there are several examples in full breeding-dress, obtained during the 

 month of May, but these birds probablj' do not breed there. 



The Turnstone is one of the most widely distributed birds, being 

 'found, at one season or another, in almost every part of the globe. 



The species frequents the sea-coast, particularly rocky shores, 

 and is usually to be observed in small parties or in pairs. Its flight 

 is powerful and graceful, while on foot the bird is swift and nimble. 

 Its note is rather loud and whistling. Its food consists chiefly of 

 small molluscs, marine insects and worms, in its search for which the 

 bird is in the habit of turning over pebbles and stones, whence its 

 trivial name in most languages. 



