TURNSTONE 243 



has not yet been recorded from the British Isles) small 

 batches of immature birds, with perhaps a few adults 

 among them, are to be met with in many localities. The 

 Turnstone is, however, better known as a bird of passage 

 in spring and autumn, many remaining with us throughout 

 the winter. 



In August and September the numbers increase con- 

 siderably along our shores, the same may be said with 

 regard to the months of May and June. At these seasons 

 of the year I have seen groups of from twenty to forty 

 together, but in winter 1 small wisps of two or three, or even 

 single birds, are more common. 



FIG. 33. HEAD OF TURNSTONE, j-i Nat. size. (Nuptial plumage, male.) 



The Turnstone is essentially a shore-bird. It is particu- 

 larly partial to the Fucus-covered rocks when laid bare at 

 ebb-tide (Plate XXVIII.). On these rocks small parties may 

 be seen, often in company with Oyster-catchers, Eedshanks, 

 Purple Sandpipers, and other shore-birds. Sand-banks and 

 ooze-flats are also resorted to, chiefly by immature birds, 

 which in autumn frequently associate with Sanderlings. 

 Turnstones have also been observed on the banks of rivers 

 and inland lakes. 



large-sized ova. On June 4th of the same year I saw a flock of twenty- 

 eight birds on the rocks along the Dublin coast, and on July 5th noticed 

 forty together in the same situation. There were but a few adults 

 among them. 



1 On February 18th, 1900, 1 noted as many as twenty together on the 

 rocks of the Dublin coast, and on March 30th counted thirty in a similar 

 locality. 



