561 



all along the south-west coast of Africa, and is found either in pairs or in small flocks. I never 

 met with the nest of this species in Africa, although I was acquainted with its mode of nidifica- 

 tion, from having seen its nest on the coast of Sweden ;" and Mr. E. L. Layard writes (B. of S. 

 Afr. p. 301) as follows : — " The Turnstone is a constant resident on these shores, extending 

 upwards as far as the equinoctial line. It frequents rocky places in preference to sandy beaches, 

 feeding on small crustaceans, shells, and the various insects which infest the decaying sea-weed. 

 They usually keep in small families of from four to eight, do not appear to mingle with the 

 Sandpipers, and are wary and difficult to approach. I fancy it must breed on Robben Island, 

 among the rocks at the northern end, having seen young birds in that neighbourhood." 



On the east coast of Africa it is recorded (Ibis, 1864, p. 301) from the Zambesi district ; 

 and the late M. Jules Verreaux saw several specimens from Madagascar. Professor Newton 

 also writes (Ibis, 1863, p. 455) that it was seen on the sands at Hivondrona on the 9th of 

 September, and on the sea-shore near Foule Point on the 16th of that month ; and Mr. E. 

 Newton states (Ibis, 1865, p. 150) that he saw a flock of some six or seven birds on the Island 

 of Rodriguez. It has been recorded from Mozambique ; and Dr. Kirk states (Ibis, 1864, p. 332) 

 that he met with it on the shores of Lake Nyassa. 



In Asia the present species has a very wide range. Von Middendorff, who met with it in 

 North Siberia, says that it arrived at the Taimyr in 73f° N. lat. on the 4th June, was found 

 breeding on the 10th July, and on the 24th he caught fledged young. About the 10th August 

 they all left. On the Boganida he shot the first on the 25th May, and found several pairs 

 breeding at the latter end of June. On the 9th August he shot specimens in winter dress on 

 the large Shantar Island. According to Mr. Taczanowski (J. f. O. 1873, p. 101) Dr. Dybowski 

 met with it not uncommonly during migration in Kultuk, in Darasun. In the autumn it arrives 

 about the 20th July, and remains until the early part of October. SevertzofF says (Turk. 

 Jevotnie, p. 69) that it is met with in Turkestan during migration in the Karatau and Western 

 Thian-shan mountains, and has been observed on the Aris, Kelless, Chirchick rivers, and their 

 tributaries. Henderson, who met with it on the Yarkand Expedition, says (Lahore to Yarkand, 

 p. 286) " a single pair was obtained — the male near the city of Yarkand, on the 2nd of September, 

 and the female at Posgam, on the 6th of September. They were in an intermediate stage of 

 plumage, between the summer and winter dress. These birds were probably on their return 

 journey from the northern breeding-haunts to the coast of India; it does not appear likely that 

 they can reside for any length of time in a far inland country like Yarkand, devoid of lakes 

 even, a mere plain of sand traversed by narrow vein-like streams scantily fringed with vege- 

 tation." Mr. A. O. Hume met with it on the Mekran coast ; and Dr. Jerdon writes (B. of India, 

 ii. p. 657) as follows : — " The Turnstone is not a common bird in India, and chiefly frequents the 

 sea-coast and rocky beds of large rivers. I have procured it above 200 miles inland, in the 

 Deccan, on the edge of a large tank, and more abundantly on the sea-coast near Madras ; 

 Mr. Blyth has frequently obtained it from the Calcutta bazaar. It is found throughout both 

 continents, chiefly on the sea-coast." Mr. Swinhoe met with it in China during the winter, and 

 says that it arrives at Formosa in small flocks, and departs about the same season as the 

 Sanderling ; and he further writes (Ibis, 1870, p. 361), " we found large numbers of these on the 

 Poochin river (N.W. Hainan) on the 5th of March. They sat on the fishing-stakes, and ranged 



