TURN-STONE. 



Si 



his two large claws having only a single hook each, instead of the 

 forceps of the female. In the bay of Delaware, below Egg island, 

 and in what is usually called Maurice river cove, these creatures 

 seem to have formed one of their principal settlements. The bot- 

 tom of this cove is generally a soft mud, extremely well suited to 

 their accommodation. Here they are resident, burying themselves 

 in the mud during the winter, but early in the month of May they 

 approach the shore in multitudes to obey the great law of nature, 

 in depositing their eggs within the influence of the sun, and are 

 then very troublesome to the fishermen, who can scarcely draw a 

 seine for them, they are so numerous. Being of slow motion, and 

 easily overset by the surf, their dead bodies cover the shore in 

 heaps, and in such numbers, that for ten miles one might walk on 

 them without touching the ground. 



The hogs from the neighboring country are regularly driven 

 down, every spring, to feed on them, which they do with great 

 avidity ; tho by this kind of food their flesh acquires a strong dis- 

 agreeable fishy taste. Even the small turtles, or terrapins, so 

 eagerly sought after by our epicures, contract so rank a taste by 

 feeding on the spawn of the king crab, as to be at such times al- 

 together unpalatable. This spawn may sometimes be seen lying in 

 hollows and eddies in bushels; while the Snipes and Sandpipers, 

 particularly the Turn-stone, are hovering about feasting on the de- 

 licious fare. The dead bodies of the animals themselves are hauled 

 up in waggons for manure, and when placed at the hills of corn, 

 in planting time, are said to enrich the soil and add greatly to the 

 increase of the crop. 



The Turn-stone derives its name from another singularity it 

 possesses, of turning over with its bill small stones and pebbles, in 

 search of various marine worms and insects. At this sort of work 

 it is exceedingly dexterous; and even when taken and domesti- 

 cated, is said to retain the same habit."^ Its bill seems particu- 



* Catesby. 



VOL. VII. I 



