208 Mr. Peabody on the 
late coasts of the northern ocean, where they breed. 
'They return in August, and, as the weather grows 
cold, move off to the south, extending their migration 
over a vast extent of country. The turnstone flies 
with a loud twittering note, and runs with its wings 
lowered, but not rapidly. ‘They do not collect in 
great numbers, like the sandpipers, but are seen in 
small parties of three or four. 'The bill resembles 
that of the nuthatch, and is used with great skill 
in collecting food. It is strong enough to break 
the shells of many small shell fish ; from others, it 
picks out the flesh like the oyster catcher. 
The Great Brue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a 
constant resident in Massachusetts, searching for its 
prey, in winter, in springs and ponds, which are not 
sealed up by the cold. It seems indifferent to cli- 
mate, but is not found very far to the north, though 
it is seen westward as far as the Rocky Mountains. 
It isa shy and suspicious bird, with most penetra- 
ting and far-reaching powers of vision, so that it is 
extremely difficult to approach it, except in the depth 
of the wood. Their principal food is fish ; but they 
have an extensive bill of fare, embracing frogs, liz- 
ards, meadow mice, young rats, snakes and birds. It 
does not refuse insects when it can find nothing bet- 
ter; but it prefers fish, and has been known to ex- 
pose itself so much in order to secure it, as to plunder 
a pond of its gold fish. It suffered the penalty of its 
transgression, but not till it had eaten the last fish. 
The amount which it will devour exceeds belief. 
These birds have great strength and spirit, so as to 
! 
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