THE TURNSTONE 411 



sand and so undermine it. For a long time they were observed 

 to work unsuccessfully. After nearly half an hour they were joined 

 by another turnstone, which they hailed with evident signs of joy. 

 This, the newcomer seemed to understand and appreciate, and, 

 mutual congratulations over, all three fell to work. After vigorously 

 removing sand for a few minutes, they tried to shift the fish by 

 putting their breasts simultaneously against it. This they tried 

 several times, the fish falling back again into place. At last, having 

 lifted it with their bills until they could get their breasts under, 

 their united efforts prevailed and the fish went over, rolling several 

 yards down a slight declivity. The birds, unable to recover their 

 balance, followed it for some distance. 1 A similar observation was 

 recorded by Mr. Angus, who in 1890, in company with a friend 

 Mr. Mitchell was watching for birds opposite " Black Dog" on the 

 north side of Don-mouth. As they lay concealed, they saw a flock of 

 turnstones alight quite near, and set to work on a salmon partly 

 embedded in the sand. Some dug the sand away, whilst others 

 pushed, until after working some time they turned it over. It fell on 

 some of the birds that were digging ; two managed to get free, but 

 one before it could extricate itself was caught by a dog belonging 

 to the watchers. 2 



These two records are corroborative in interesting particulars, 

 and indicate a special procedure when the turning over of an object 

 too large for the efforts of a single bird promises an adequate reward 

 to as many as can work together. In both cases the special procedure 

 was similar, viz. digging the sand away from one side of the fish and 

 pushing at the other side. Mr. A. H. Patterson notes that the 

 co-operating turnstones are not always left to the exclusive enjoyment 

 of their labour, for hungry dunlins and other small Waders may seize 

 the occasion to run up and join in the meal. 3 



The turnstone is a very conspicuous bird when flying, owing to 



1 Romanes, Animal Intelligence, p. 322 (quoted from Smiles' Life of Thomas Edward, pp. 244-6). 



2 Zoologist, 1890, pp. 275-6 (quoted from Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, 1890, p. 180). 



3 Nature in Eastern Norfolk, p. 219. 



VOL. in. SG 



