346 CHAEADEnD^. 



Hob. Aectic Eegions of Noeth America, from Greenland to Alaska, breeding in the 

 extreme north 6.— Mexico, Kio Zacatula {Xantus i^i^j, San Mateo i*, Santa Maria 

 del Mar, Tehuan tepee, Tonala, Chiapas {Sumichrast ^% Mugeres I.^, Cozumel V ^^ 

 (Gaumer); Beitish Hondueas, Curlew Cay ^ Saw-pit Cay^ Tumeff I.^ (O.S.); 

 Guatemala, both coasts ^\ Chiapam ^ ^^ (^Q. S.) ; Costa Eica, Las Trojas {Zeledon^) ; 

 Panama, Veragua {JrcS''). — South America, both coasts in winter^; Antilles, 

 in winter '^. — Noetheen Europe and Nobthern Asia, ranging to the southern 

 hemisphere in winter ^. 



The description of the winter plumage of this species is here given in particular, as 

 the Turnstone is chiefly a visitor at this season to Central America. On its return 

 journey in spring the bird is generally found to have assumed its summer livery, either 

 partially or in full, the adult female never gaining such a complete rufous plumage as 

 the male. 



A. interpres is an inhabitant of the arctic regions of both hemispheres during the 

 breeding-season, and there is scarcely a country in the southern areas of the globe 

 which it does not visit on migration, mostly keeping to the sea-shore. Although 

 sometimes seen in flocks, this bird is more often to be found alone on its return 

 journey to the south, when it frequents the beaches of natural harbours, feeding on 

 the small Crustacea and such mollusca as it is able to obtain by breaking the shell. 

 The species has acquired the name of " Turnstone " from the habit of turning over stones 

 in order to get at the small animals beneath them. It has a peculiar piping note, 

 and is not so shy as many of the other wading-birds. 



Subfam. EMMATOPOBmM. 



The Oyster-catchers constitute a very well-defined group of the Plovers, somewhat 

 allied to the Turnstones, but distinct in all their chief external features. Like the 

 Arenariinae, they have no dertral swelling at the end of the upper mandible, and 

 the tarsus is reticulated both before and behind. The bill is long and narrow, very 

 much compressed, and having the angle of the genys situated far back, near to the 

 base of the bill. 



This subfamily includes but a single genus, HcBmatoptts. Twelve species are known, 

 four of which are almost entirely black : these are inhabitants of the southern hemi- 

 spheres. The others have the breast and abdomen white, and are distinguished as the 

 " Pied " Oyster-catchers. To this group belong H. ostralegus and its allies of the Old 

 World, represented by the two white-bellied species which occur within the limits of 

 the present work. 



They make no nest, but lay their eggs on the sand, on the sea-shore, or on the banks 

 of rivers. 



