150 BIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA 



Before incubation the bird has a habit of standing alongside its nest and shading, 

 with its body, the eggs from the direct rays of the sun. The eggs are two to four 

 in number, measuring about 1.00 x 1.45. They are spotted with black on a drab 

 ground-color. Pearson has found their nests on the sea-beaches in Carteret County 

 (Cape Lookout), Onslow County (Stump Sound) and New Hanover County (Corn- 

 cake Inlet). 



22. FAMILY APHRIZID>E. SURF-BIRDS AND TURNSTONES 



A small family, including birds allied to the plovers, but with the feet four-toed 

 and the tarsus scutellate in front. A single genus and species occurs with us. 



Genus Arenaria (Briss.) 

 134. Arenaria interpres morinella (Linn.}. RUDDY TURNSTONE. 



Description. Varied with black, white, and chestnut above; lower parts mainly white, the 

 chest deep black in adult, but only mottled with dusky in immature birds. L., 9.00 to 10.00; 

 W., 5.50 to 6.00. 



Range. Both Americas, breeding in the Arctic regions, and wintering from South Carolina 

 to Brazil. 



Range in North Carolina. Coastal region during the migrations, at least from late March to. 

 early June, and from mid-August nearly to winter. 



FIG. 114. RUDDY TURNSTONE. 



The Turnstone is perhaps the most handsomely marked of all our shore-birds. 

 Strictly coastwise in its habits, its brilliant and striking coloration, its well propor- 

 tioned and robust outline, and its strong, rapid flight, all go to make it a bird which 

 once seen will ever be remembered. Not often congregating in large flocks, the 

 small bunches in which it usually travels may be found everywhere along the open 

 beaches during the migrations. It mingles freely with other species of like habits, 

 following the receding tide out on the mud-flats and oyster rocks in search of its 

 favorite food. It is a quick and graceful flyer and comes very well to decoys, 

 although usually a much shyer bird to approach in the open than are many other 

 birds of the beaches. Turnstones usually leave for the North in May; yet indi- 

 viduals may be found nearly, if not quite, every month in the year. 



