3078 Birds. 



unobserved. I was now distant from them but about ten yards ; and 

 had a distinct and unobstructed view of all their movements. In 

 these, there was evinced that extraordinary degree of sagacity and 

 perseverance, which comes under the notice only of those who watch 

 the habits of the lower creation with patience and assiduity, and 

 which when fully and accurately related, is not unfrequently discre- 

 dited by individuals, who, although fond of natural history, seem in- 

 clined to believe that everything in regard to animals must necessarily 

 be false, or at least the result of ignorance, unless it has been recorded 

 in books which are considered as of authority on the subject. But 

 to return : having got fairly settled down in my pebbly observatory, I 

 turned my undivided attention to the birds before me. They were 

 boldly pushing at the fish with their bills and then with their breasts.* 

 Their endeavours, however, were in vain : the object remained im- 

 movable. On this they both went round to the opposite side, and 

 began to scrape away the sand from close beneath the fish. After re- 

 moving a considerable quantity, they again came back to the spot 

 which they had left ; and went once more to work with their bills and 



* It is consistent with my knowledge that Mr. Edward has never read the account 

 given by Audubon of the habits of the turnstone. I mention this as a proof, among 

 others, of the accuracy and minuteness with which he makes his observations. He 

 is the only European, so far as I have the means of ascertaining, who has described 

 the efforts which are put forth by the bird in question in cases of difficulty, not only 

 with its bill, but with its breast also. This interesting particular in its economy had 

 been already taken notice of, although unknown to him, by the celebrated woodsman 

 of America. These are his words : " In several instances when the clusters of oyster- 

 shells or clods of mud were too heavy to be removed in the ordinary way, they (the 

 turnstones) would use not only the bill and head, but also the breast, pushing the ob- 

 ject with all their strength, and reminding me of the labour which I have undergone 

 in turning over a large turtle." (Audubon's ' Ornithological Biography,' vol. iv. p. 32). 

 It would not appear that much was known by Wilson in regard to the turnstone ; for 

 contrary to his usual practice, instead of giving a full and graphic account of its cha- 

 racter and habits, he has presented us with a minute, although no doubt an interest- 

 ing description of the horse-foot, or great king crab (Monoculus Polyphemus), on the 

 eggs or spawn of which it seems that the turnstone feeds whenever it can, devouring 

 them with the greatest avidity. (Wilson's ' American Ornithology,' Sir W. Jardine's 

 edit. vol. ii. p. 325). Audubon is of opinion that in the system of nature the turn- 

 stone should be placed very near to the oyster catcher (Hcematopus Ostralegus), as in 

 their avocations, especially in the grand object of procuring their food, there is a close 

 resemblance between them. We observe that in the arrangement of Selby, one of 

 tin- most judicious, accurate, and observant of our native ornithologists, the turnstone 

 OOCIipiet the place immediately following that of the oyster catcher. ('British Ornitho- 

 logy,' vol. ii. p. 202). 



