NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



159 



The common Turnstone Is widely distributed in tlie breeding season through/- 

 out the northern portions of both continents, and wanders southward along the sea 

 coasts of all countries. In America it breeds commonly in the Barren Lands of the 

 Arctic coasts and the Anderson River districts, on the islands of Franklin and Liver- 

 pool Bays, nesting in July. In the Hudson Bay country the eggs are laid in June; 

 the nest is nothing but a hollow scratched in the earth, lined with bits of grass. 

 It is known by various names, "Brant Bird," "Bead Bird," "Horse-foot Snipe," and 

 from its varigated colors, "Calico-back." The eggs are greenish-ash, spotted, 

 blotched and dotted irregularly and thickly with yellowish and umber brown; two 

 to four; abruptly pyriform in shape, and average 1.58x1.15. A set of four eggs of this 

 species is in the cabinet of Captain B. F. Goss. These were taken on the Yukon 

 River, in Alaska. The nest was a slight depression on the ground. The eggs are 

 greenish drab, spotted all over with brown; sizes, 1.68x1.13, 1.60x1.17, 1.60x1.17, 

 1.68x1.13. 



284. BLACK TTTBHSTONE. Armaria melanocepliala (Vig.) Geog. Dist. — Pa- 

 cific coast of North America, from Alaska to Santa Cruz and San Minguel Island. 



The Black-headed Turnstone is common along the Pacific coast of North Ameri- 

 ca. It has been found nesting in Alaska at the mouth of the Yukon. In all respects 

 Its habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are said to be similar to those of A. interpres. The 

 eggs average 1.62x1.12. 



2S4. Black Turnstone, 



[285.] OYSTER-CATCHER. Hwrnatopus ostralegus Linn. Geog Dist.— Sea 

 coasts of Europe, portions of Asia and Africa; occasional in Greenland. 



The Oyster-catcher of Europe claims a place in the North American fauna from 

 its occasional occurrence in Greenland. It appears to be common in all suitable 

 places on the coasts and Islands of Europe, extending northward to the northern 

 shores of Russia and Siberia, where it breeds on the great Arctic flats. Common 

 throughout the summer months in Denmark, Sweden and on the west shores of 

 Norway. In Great Britain the Oyster-catcher is a well known species, nesting on 

 the shores and islands as far north as Orkney and Shetland. The bird breeds gen- 



