TURNSTONES. 



495 



may be recognised by its pure white chin and throat; the general coloration 

 of the plumage being mottled black, white, and chestnut, and the total length of 

 the bird 9 1^ inches. The black , turnstone (*Si. melanocephalus) oi Western North 

 America, in addition to its broader wings, differs by the white lower back, and the 

 absence of a pure white throat and neck ; while the plover-billed turnstone (S. 

 virgatus), from the Pacific Coast of America, may always be recognised by the 

 vaulted extremity of its beak, and the brown colour of the lower back. 



The common turnstone, which in winter is one of the most cosmopolitan of 

 birds, occurring as far away from its northern home as South America and New 

 Zealand, takes its name from its habit of overturning pebbles and other stones 



COMMON TURNSTONE. 



with its beak for the purpose of obtaining the various marine creatures that lurk 

 beneath their shelter. In such tasks the breast as well as the beak is occasionally 

 brought into requisition ; and an instance is on record where three of these birds 

 combined their forces in order to overturn a stranded fish. Except during migra- 

 tion, the turnstone is essentially a littoral bird ; and in Britain it is generally seen 

 in pairs or small parties, frequently in association with other waders. Although 

 generally running along the shore, and taking short flights when disturbed, it is not 

 destitute of the power of swimming ; and its cry is a clear loud whistle. The nest 

 is but a poor affair, consisting of a sparsely lined hollow in the sand ; and the four 

 spotted eggs differ in coloration from those of the plovers, and resemble those of 

 the sandpipers and snipe. The slight difference between the summer and winter 

 dress of these birds affords further evidence of their scolopaceous affinities. 



