ii8 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



TURNSTONE (Strepsilas interpres). 



An autumn and winter visitor from circumpolar 

 regions. Considerable numbers spend the winter with 

 us in the south and west. 



Haunts. — Rocky sea-coasts. 



Plumage. — Head, neck, breast, and shoulders varie- 

 gated with black and white. Mantle streaked with 

 chestnut and black, giving " tortoise-shell colouring." 

 Rump white and conspicuous. Tail dark brown ; under 

 parts white. Bill black. Legs and feet orange-red. 

 Length 9 in. Female, slightly larger and duller. In 

 autumn both sexes lose much of the chestnut colouring. 

 Young : forehead and cheeks brown, collar dark brown ; 

 feathers of back tipped with dingy white. 



Language. — A clear whistle ; also a twittering or 

 chuckling, uttered when on the wing. Usually rather 

 silent. 



Habits. — When feeding it has a curious habit of turning 

 over stones with its bill, sometimes aided by its breast, 

 to find insects or other small creatures lurking there. 



Food. — Small Crustacea and mollusca, marine insects, 

 &c. 



Nidification. — Breeds in circumpolar regions. 



BERNACLE GOOSE {Bernicla leucopsis), 



A winter visitor, occurring chiefly on the western 

 coasts, Scotland and Ireland. 



Observation. — Distinct on account of its white cheeks 

 and black head and throat. 



Haunts. — Mud-fiats on the sea-coast, but not so mari- 

 time as the next. 



