303 THE BIKDS OF DEVOX. 



are to be met with on the rocks and shingles all through the winter. In 

 April and May large flocks make their apjiearanoe for a da}- or two on 

 their ))assage to their northern breeding-stations. The birds are then wild 

 and difficult to approach, and the males are in their singularly beautitiil 

 breeding-])lumage, which consists of vivid alternations of bright chestnut, 

 black, and white. Some very perfect specimens in the complete spring 

 dress in our collection were obtained on the sands at Weston-super-Mare. 



Although there is no record of the Turnstone's nest ever having been 

 detected in the United Kingdom, it may probably have bred in Scotland, 

 and a pair which were unfortunately shot on Lundy Island on 28th May, 

 a few years since, may have had a nest. 



There is hardly any part of the world in which the Turnstone has not 

 been observed. On the N.W. coast of America, another species, of a 

 more sombre plumage, is met with. 



At Plymouth sjieciniens were obtained on loth and ITtb September, 1853, and three 

 on September 9th, 185(3 (B., MS. Notes) ; sereiMl nearly coni]3letely mouhed, Sep- 

 tember 18s:2, and one in the market on December 28th following (J. G., Zool. 1883, 

 pp. 1()5, KJi)). 



The Turnstone occurs in small numbers in most springs near Kingsbridge, and is 

 abundant there in the autumn. In May 1889, Mr. E. A. S. Elliot found a small 

 flock about the rocks outside the harbour at Kingsbridge, and shot some, whicli proved 

 to be all old males (R. P. N. and E. A. S. E., ^MS. Notes). A female was procured on 

 the Exe in August 1839 (F. W. L. R., MS. Journ. ii. p. 55). Two were seen by ns 

 just below Toiisham, Aj)ril 24th, 185(i. Some on the Exe estuary, August 1870. One 

 was shot below Topsham, August 23rd, 187(>. Other specimens have occurred on the 

 Exe estuary and at Exmouth, but the dates were not recorded. We have also seen 

 Turnstones on the sea-beach near Teignraouth, and they have occurred on the Teign 

 (Trans. Devon. Assoc, ri. p. 711), but these birds appear to be more plentiful on tjie 

 northern than on the southern coast of the county. Yery large flocks occurred at 

 Instow, September 14th, 1871 (J. H. Gr., Zool. 1871, p. 284."0, and family parties of 

 five or seven were nunierous in September 1874 (G. F. M., Zool. 1874. p. 4251). 

 Four were seen on Braunton Burrows, August 21st, 1886 (O. V. A., Zool. 1887, p. 71). 

 The Turnstone is only an occasional visitor to Lundy Island (Trans. Devon. Assoc, viii. 

 p. .309). where Mr. Howard Saunders saw a pair on May 28tb, 1861 (Yarrell's B. 

 Birds, 4th ed. iii. p. 290). 



Oyster-catcher. Ila-maioims ostralegus, Linn. 



[Sea Pie.] 



Partially resident, but ])rincipally only a passing visitor in spring and 

 autumn. It formerly bred amongst the rocks iiear Start Point (E. A. S. E.). 

 Some remain all the year, especially on the north coast, and a few breed on 

 Lundy Island (Trans. Devon. Assoc, viii. p. 307). It is rarely common at 

 any time on the south coast, but is most frequently met with in small 

 parties from August to October, on the sea-shore and in the river 

 estuaries, and is then sometimes in adult winter plumage, but more 

 generally the specimens met Avith at that season are immature birds. 



The whistle of the Sea Pie is one of the familiar sounds of the coast, 

 and at all times of the year the bird may be met with on its favourite 

 haunts upon the shingly beach, or on the mussel-beds when these have 

 been lelt bare by the retreating tide. It is not so often seen upon shores 



