THE SHORE BIRDS. 215 



dusk, particularly in moonlight, their cries are frequently heard with 

 equal violence, both in the spring and fall. From this circumstance, 

 and their flying about both after dusk and before dawn, it appears 

 probable that they see better at such times than most of their tribe. 

 They are known to feed much on worms, and many of these rise to 

 the surface during the night. The prowling of Owls may also alarm 

 their fears for their young at those hours ; but whatever may be the 

 cause, the facts are so." 



The Turnstone is a marine bird, a dweller on the 

 sea-coast, and when found inland may be looked 

 upon as a mere straggler; literally a storm-tossed 

 bird ; for it is well known that sea-birds have been 

 driven many miles inland when the coastwise storm 

 has been of unusual violence. In spring and autumn 

 they are moderately common. They breed in the 

 arctic regions. 



" This bird is naturally of a wild and solitary disposition, coursing 

 along the shore by pairs or in small families which have been bred 

 together. The Turnstone, while flying, often utters a loud twittering 

 note, and runs at times with its wings lowered, but is less swift in its 

 movements than most of the Sand-pipers, and more patient and intent 

 in obtaining its fare. Like the Woodpeckers, it is content to search 

 over the same place for a considerable length of time ; the mechanism 

 of its bill seems well provided for this purpose, and it is often seen 

 in this way turning over stones and pebbles from side to side in search 

 of various worms and insects." NuTTALL. 



It is said that they make entertaining pets, and 

 thrive very well under what must be very changed 

 conditions for them. 



The Oyster-catcher, which Turnbull says, in his 

 " Birds of East Pennsylvania," is also called the 

 " Flood-gull," is recorded as " rather scarce." It 

 certainly varies in respect to numbers from year to 

 year, and probably in the Middle States has perma- 



