161 



TURNSTONE. 



COMMON TURNSTONE. HEBRIDAL SANDPIPER. 



PLATE CLV. FIG. I. 



Strepsilas interpres, FLEMING. SELBT. 



Tringa interpres, 



Tringa morinella, 



Arenaria cinerea, BEISSON. 



MorineUus marinus, RAT. 



THESE birds lay their eggs on sandy and rocky coasts, both where a 

 stunted vegetation obtains, and where sterility alone is the characteristic 

 of the scene. They appear to have no tie to any previously-tenanted 

 situation, but choose a new residence, like other tribes, if so it suit 

 them, year after year. The nest is sometimes placed under the shelter 

 of a stone, rock, plant, or other break in the surface, and at other 

 times on the mere rock, sand, or shingle. It is but some trifling hollow, 

 natural or scraped out for the purpose, lined, perhaps, with a few dry 

 blades of grass, or leaves. 



The eggs, four in number, vary much in colour and markings, some 

 being of a green olive ground, and others of a brown olive colour; 

 some much and others only a little spotted, principally about the obtuse 

 end with dark grey, olive brown, and black, or reddish brown of two 

 shades. They are cleverly concealed. 



Mr. Hewitson says that all the eggs of this species that he met 

 with in his visit to the coast of Xorway, were suffused with a beautiful 

 tint of purple or crimson, seen in those of few other species. 



VOL. II. 



