328 TURNSTONE. 



those vast marshes, swamps, and morasses that frequently 

 prevail in the vicinity of the ocean and on the borders of 

 large rivers. They are also generally migratory, on account 

 of the periodical freezing of those places in the northern 

 regions where they procure their food. The godwits are 

 particularly fond of salt marshes, and are rarely found in 

 countries remote from the sea. 



TUKNSTONE. {Tringa interpres.) 



PLATE LVIL— Fig. 1. 



Hebridal Sandpiper, Arct. Zool. p. 472, No. 382. — Le Tourne-pierre, Buff. vii. 

 130, PI. enl. 130.— Bewick, ii. p. 119, 121.— Catesby, i. 72.—Peale's Museum, 

 No. 4044. 



STBEPSILAS INTERPRES.— Illiger.* 



Tourne-pierre & collier (Strepsilas collaris), Temm. Man. oVOrn. ii. p. 553. — Strep- 

 silas interpres, Flem. Br. Zool. p. 110. — North. Zool. ii. p. 371. — Strepsilas 

 collaris, Bonap. Syaop. 



This beautifully variegated species is common to both Europe 

 and America, consequently extends its migrations far to the 

 north. It arrives from the south on the shores of New Jersey 

 in April ; leaves them early in June ; is seen on its return to 

 the south in October ; and continues to be occasionally seen 

 until the commencement of cold weather, when it disappears 

 for the season. It is rather a scarce species in this part of the 



* This is the only species of turnstone known, and it is apparently 

 distrihuted over the whole world. Its breeding places, according to 

 the " Northern Zoology," are the shores of Hudson's Bay and the Arctic 

 Sea, probably in the most northern districts. On the Scotch and 

 English coasts they arrive in small flocks about the beginning of August, 

 and, as the season advances, congregate into larger assemblies. The 

 greater proportion of these are still in their young dress, and it is not 

 until the ensuing spring that this is completely changed ; in this state 

 they have been frequently described as a second species. Early in 

 spring, a few straggling birds, in perfect breeding plumage, may be 

 observed on most of our shores, which have either been left at the 

 general migration, or remain during the year in a state of barrenness. 

 It is then that the finest specimens for stuffing are obtained. — Ed. 



