SHORE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 81 



regions. The eggs, which are usually four, are dull clay color, marked with 

 pale brown or grayish brown, and measure about 1.55 x 1.15. 



It is common on the Atlantic coast during migrations, frequenting sandy 

 beaches and flats, sometimes in small flocks, but often alone or with a single 

 companion. 



It has received its name from the manner in which it turns over small peb- 

 bles and shells while searching for the small crustaceans and insects upon 

 which it feeds. 



ARENARIA MELANOCEPHALA (Vig.). 



Black Turnstone. 



Adult, xummcr pJ>tma</c: General plumage, brownish black, 

 with a tinge of orange; forehead and breast, streaked with 

 white; a white spot on the lores, and a white bar on the wing; 

 belly and crissum. white. 



Adult, wintt-r pluni'iije: Similar, but lacks the white on the 

 head and breast. 



Length, !) ; wing. 5.90; bill, 1: tarsus, 1. 



The Black Turnstone occurs only on the Pacific 

 coast of North America, ranging from Point Barrow, 

 Alaska, to Lower California. It breeds from Alaska 

 to British Columbia. The eggs arc three or four, 

 dull clay color, markrd with dusky brown. 



