The Black Turnstone 



In summer this species enjoys a rather more southerly distribution 

 than morinella, being found as far south as Sitka. According to Nelson : 

 "It breeds among the brackish pools on Saint Michaels Island, and is 

 found scattered over the wet flats everywhere. It is one of the common- 

 est birds of this locality, its sharp clear note breaking the silence wherever 

 one turns his step among the pools and marshy places. It has a habit 

 of circling round the intruder, during the nesting season, with a fine 

 clear peeping cry like the syllables weet, weet, too-weet, as it moves rest- 

 lessly about; now stopping a moment on a slight knoll, then running 

 hastily along the edge of a neighboring pool, perhaps picking up a scrap 

 of food as it runs, and then it mounts on wing again and comes careering 

 about, evincing the liveliest distress at the invasion of its haunts." 



The Black Turnstone is at no time so great a wanderer as its ruddy 

 cousin. It does not frequent the interior nor does it go further south 

 than Santa Margarita Island, in Lower California. While specimens 



may be found throughout 

 the summer months, it is 

 well known that these are 

 non-breeding birds, se- 

 nescents, or those which for 

 individual reasons fail to 

 make the northern flight. 

 There is, thus, a fringe of 

 local movement along the 

 shores of the mainland at all 

 times of the year; and the 

 bird is one of the best- 

 known figures of our coastal 

 life. Rarely does it venture 

 on the naked sands, and 

 then only in company with 

 more experienced Sandpip- 

 ers — Sanderlings, Westerns, 

 Ruddy Turnstones, and 

 even Killdeers. When dis- 

 turbed in such company, the 

 Blacks will oftenest separate 

 themselves and "haul out" 

 upon the nearest rock, be it 

 never so insignificant. 



Taken near Santa Barbara Photo by the Author 



THE BLACK TURNSTONE IS PREEMINENTLY A ROCK-HAUNTING SPECIES 



1344 



