Family CHARADRIID^. Genus Strepsilas. 



Subfamily Scolopacin.e. 



TURNSTONE. 



STREPSILAS INTERPRES— (Zz/?;z«w). 



Geographical Distribution. — British .■ Most abundant on 

 the British coasts during spring and autumn passage, only a few 

 remaining to winter. Commonest on Scotch and Irish coasts, 

 and may possibly breed on the Hebrides. Foreign : Circumpolar 

 region, and widely dispersed, breeding as far north as land 

 extends, but not south of the Baltic. In winter it is practically 

 cosmopolitan south of the Arctic Circle, being a visitor to the 

 coasts of both hemispheres. Said to be a resident on Lord 

 Howe's Island, off the coast of New South Wales, but further 

 confirmation than that already given is much to be desired. 



Allied Forms. — Strepsilas melanocephalus, an inhabitant of 

 California and the adjoining coasts. Differs from the Common 

 Turnstone in having the chestnut replaced by black, and in the 

 absence of white on the head and neck. 



Time during which the Turnstone may be taken.— 



August I St to March ist. 



Habits. — Although occasionally met with inland on migration 

 the Turnstone is eminently a coast bird, and at all times of the 

 year lives either on the shore or in the immediate vicinity of the 

 sea. It is best known on passsge in our islands, although a few 

 odd birds occasionally remain with us during winter, and it would 

 appear that immature non-breeding individuals occasionally stay 

 behind in the winter quarters during summer, or at a considerable 

 distance south of the nesting grounds. Young Turnstones begin 

 to make their appearance on our coasts at the end of July, and 

 the migration continues through August and September, by which 



