THE TURNSTONE. 



Strepsilas interpres, LEACH. 

 PLATE XX. 



Tringa interpres, Linn. Stripsilas interpres, Leach Le 



Tourne piere a Collier, Temm. (Tringa morinella, Linn. 

 Hebridal Sandpiper. Synonyms of the young or first 

 plumage.) Turnstone or Sea Dotterel of British authors. 



THE Turnstone is only a winter visitant to the 

 British Isles. It breeds in the north of Europe and 

 in the cold latitudes of both hemispheres, migrating 

 late in spring from this country, and returning again 

 with its brood in August, From the time of its re- 

 turn, during the winter and in early spring, it may 

 be found in small parties along the shores, frequent- 

 ing chiefly those parts where there are jutting-out 

 ledges of rock, or the smaller rocky islands ; and 

 being somewhat local in its habits, particular places 

 are seldom without it. It feeds on nearly the same 

 substances as the Trmgce and Maritime Dotterels ; 

 but, as the name implies, it actively turns over 

 the small stones and other bodies on the feeding 

 ground in search of prey ; and, it is probable, that 

 this is more confined to the particular animals 

 that hide or live under cover. The flight is rapid, 



