PLOVERS AND SANDPIPERS. 87 



and it has been said to nest on the Channel Islands, 

 but no direct proof has yet been obtained. Under 

 exceptional circumstances the Turnstone may be 

 met with inland, especially during the season of 

 its migrations, but otherwise it is strictly a coast- 

 bird, as much so as the Oyster-catcher, and rears 

 its young upon the shore. This somewhat singular 

 bird is met with on the British coasts, most commonly 

 during its passage north or south, comparatively few 

 individuals remaining upon them for the winter. 

 The Turnstone cannot readily be confused with 

 any other coast bird, its mottled black and chestnut 

 upper parts, black throat and breast, and white 

 belly, being very distinctive. The wings and tail 

 during flight exhibit a good deal of white upon 

 them. Turnstones, chiefly young birds, begin to 

 arrive on the British coasts at the end of July, 

 and the migration of the species continues through 

 August and September ; the return passage in 

 spring may be remarked towards the end of April, 

 and lasts for about a month. Mud-flats, slob-lands, 

 and salt-marshes are not frequented much by the 

 Turnstone ; it always prefers the low rocky coasts, 

 and seems specially fond of haunting rocks and 

 islands. Social to a great extent in summer, in 

 winter this bird is more or less gregarious ; but 

 many odd individuals attach themselves to parties 

 of other shore-frequenting species. An example 

 now lying before me was shot from the company of 

 Common Sandpipers. The Turnstone is a restless 



