STREPSILAS INTERPRES : TURNSTONE. 1 79 



agree with those of Sandpipers, and its haunts are similar, 

 though it naturally prefers rocky coves and shingly places to the 

 open sandy beaches. The sexes are alike, but the summer and 

 winter plumages differ greatly. In the former season the bird is 

 singularly patched and pied on the upper parts with black, white, 

 gray and chestnut, giving the suggestion of printed calico ; the 

 under parts, and a large space on the wings, are pure white, ex- 

 cepting the black on the breast. In winter the reddish coloration 

 is wanting. Length about 8.00 ; extent, 17.00 ; wing, 5.65 ; tail, 

 2.40 ; bill, 0.90 i tarsus, 1. 10. 



A common spring and autumn migrant through New 

 England, almost exclusively along the sea-coast. It is 

 not found in flocks, like the Sandpipers generally, but 

 alone, or only two or three together, sometimes asso- 

 ciating with the Sandpipers, but oftener satisfied with 

 its own company. It ap- 

 pears among us in April, 

 and sometimes remains 

 through the greater part of 

 May, after which it is off to 

 the hyperborean regions 

 where it breeds. It returns fig. 40.-B1T.L of turnstonb. 



A . Natural size. 



m August, more numerous- 

 ly than before, and lingers through the greater part of the 

 autumn. It is one of the most widely diffused of birds, 

 being found on the sea-coasts of nearly all countries, and 

 on many of the larger inland waters of North America, 

 as of other continents. Its peculiarities almost entitle 

 it to be considered as the type of a family Strepsilaidce, 

 in which might be also classified its near relative, the 

 curious Surf-bird of the Pacific, Aphriza virgata. 



