The Turnstones 



Occurrence in California. — Not clearly distinguished from that of 

 A. i. interpres. One positive record: Sunset Beach, Orange County, Sept. 20, 1907 

 (Ridgway). 



THE WORLD has always exercised a special tolerance toward 

 brides and grooms. Especially in the matter of dress has every indul- 

 gence been shown them, and we have beheld our fellow mortals at nuptials 

 tricked out in trappings and draperies befitting birds of paradise, or 

 cockatoos. In so doing, of course, we have only been aping nature, and 

 our most bizarre effects are feeble in comparison with those achieved by 

 nature's younger children. Turnstones in spring are the original Har- 

 lequins. Imagine a patchwork of black and white and bright chestnut 

 so intricate in pattern as not to deserve minute description. Complete 

 the costume with a pair of brilliant orange hose, and you have our can- 

 didate for matrimony, very conscious and quite absurd. 



Although Turnstones winter sparingly along our shores, and es- 

 pecially on the Channel Islands, they are chiefly migratory. They pass 

 rather hurriedly in spring, breed on Arctic shores, and are back again in 



THE TURN OF THE TIDE 



THREE RUDDY TURNSTONES AT SANDYLAND 



'JJ! 



