SHORE AND MARSH BIRDS. Turnstone 



mistaken, even though he were Audubon himself. A snap- 

 shot with a camera might settle the question, but the 

 drummer seldom performs in places where the light would 

 permit of a photograph of whirling feathers. 



Asa Game-bird the Buffed Grouse is a favourite, having 

 white meat of a good flavour and less dry than that of the 

 Quail. Sometimes when driven by hunger it feeds upon 

 noxious berries and the leaves of the dwarf laurel or lamb- 

 kill, which may render it unwholesome food; but if the bird 

 is properly cleaned at once no such trouble can ensue, as the 

 leaves and berries when digested cannot injure the flesh, 

 and the only danger comes from the poisonous matter 

 remaining in the crop and intestines and permeating the 

 entire bird. 



The eyes of the Grouse are of the most wonderful depth 

 and softness. This autumn, during a violent storm, a young 

 bird with a broken wing and leg was blown against the 

 house door. I took it in, and it lay for some time in my 

 hand, until we found that it could not be cured, and that 

 the kindest act would be to kill it. I shall never forget its 

 eyes, with their deep, expanding pupils and the golden- 

 brown iris. Of all the expressive, speaking eyes that I have 

 seen among animals, the eyes of this bird were the most 

 beautiful and pathetic. 



ORDER LIMICOUE: SHORE-BIRDS. 



FAMILY APHRIZID.^: SURF-BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. 



Turnstone : Arenaria interpres. 



Calico Snipe. 



Plate 64. Fig. 1. 



Length : 8-9 inches. 



Male and Female : Above patched with black, white, red, brown 

 and gray in a calico pattern. Below white, with black throat 

 and breast, divided by a white line. Much white on wings and 

 tail. Bill black, shorter than head, and slightly recurved ; feet 

 orange. Adults, in winter, lack the red on the back and the 

 blacks are less clear. 



231 



