THE TURNSTONE, tec. 10$ 



hatchet; which ftru(5lure adapts his bill to detach from the rocks, or to 

 raife from the fands, thofe lliell-fifli which compofe the food of this bird. 

 He has only three toes, little or no membranes j yet fometimes fwims, 

 following the courfe of the water, reftingon it, or quitting it, at his plea- 

 fure ; probably eats worms, like others of this clafs ; yet in his ftomach 

 are ufually found oyfters or their parts. She lays her eggs on the fands, 

 above high watermark, without any preparation; lays five or iix eggs: 

 quits them during the middle of the day. Of this bird the bill and feet 

 are coral red ; feet and toes fcaly and hard ; eye-lids red, iris yellow ; 

 tail Ihort. 



H 



THE TURNSTONE. 



IS manners are well exprelTed by his name ; for his cuftom is to 

 ^^ ^^ turn all the (tones he fees on the water edge, in hopes to find under 

 them worms and infefls on which he feeds ; he turns them by the force of 

 the upper part of his bill, very quickly, even though they weigh two or 

 three pounds, which, in a bird the fize of a thrulh, exprefles great flrength, 

 and great dexterity; his bill is of a very hard fubftance, is very thick at the 

 bafe, though fliarp at the point ; its upper part is a little comprefled, and 

 (lightly turned upwards; is black; about an inch long; feet orange- 

 coloured ; plumage black and white. The fpecies is pretty much fpread. 



THE WATER-OUZEL 



SHOULD with juftice be detached from among the Ouzels;. for 

 though his (ize be nearly like theirs, his plumage dark, and his 

 breaft white (as arc fome ouzels), yet he is filent, (low in his movements, 

 neither bounding nor hopping ; he frequents the clear ftreams of high 

 mountains, preferring thofe whofe defcent is rapid, and whofe beds are 

 rocky and ftony; he is found near torrents, cafcades, and limpid ftreams, 

 which run over gravelly ftrata; he enters the water wholly, gradually, 

 without plunging, walking in it at the bottom, and following the inclina- 

 tions of its bed ; (trolling at his eafe, as if on land ; letting his wings drop, 

 and (haking them; here he feeds on little fi(h and water infects. His 



4 fee: 



