THE TURN-STONE. 135" 



whether it migrates between those countries and Britain, has 

 not been determined. 



A figure of the male turn-stone in the breeding plumage, 

 on a scale of one-third of the lineal dimensions, is given 

 on the plate opposite ; but, as is the case with the other 

 birds which dwell long, if not all the year round, upon our 

 shores, it is subject to considerable variation in its plumage ; 

 but the shape of the bird, and its size and habits, render it 

 easily known in any of the varieties of its plumage, whether 

 depending upon age or season. 



The length of the bird is about nine inches ; the bill about 

 an inch long, very slightly bent upwards, black, strong, and 

 very hard at the tip, which is abrupt, and the ridge of the 

 bill is flattened; the nostrils are lateral, and half covered 

 with membrane ; the tarsi are of moderate length ; the 

 tibia bare for a little way above the joint ; the three front 

 toes are connected at their bases by a short membrane ; and 

 the hinder toe, which is short and articulated upon the tarsus, 

 is bent inwards. The feet, as is the case with the lapwing, 

 are differently coloured from the bill. The feet of the turn- 

 stone are orange : the claws, which are not much produced, 

 are black. 



Turn-stones appear on some parts of the British shores 

 during the greater part of the year, remaining till the season 

 is considerably advanced, and making their appearance again 

 as early as August. In the north of Scotland, at least on 

 the islands (for the northern coast of the mainland is not 

 very favourable for littoral birds), they are found all the 

 summer over, though less frequent in the heat of the season 

 than in the cold months. 



These facts, which are quite well authenticated, render it 

 very probable that some of the birds breed in those northern 

 parts in which they are seen during the summer, if not in 

 more southerly parts of the British islands. If they were 



