THE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA 
264 
29. Turnstone Arenaria interpres Linne 
Ar-cn-ar'-ia — L., arenarius, Belonging to sand: in-ter-pres — L., interpres, 
go between. 
Distribution , — Arctic regions, migrating southwards to Chile, Africa, 
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. 
Notes. — Also called Sea-dotterel, Beach-bird, Calico-bird, and Eastern 
Turnstone. Usually in small flocks, arriving in Australia during Sep- 
tember or October, departing in March or April; odd pairs remain 
throughout the year, it frequents sea beaches, feeding upon small marine 
animals at low tide, and resting on nearby rocks when the tide is high. It 
may be identified from the other smaller Waders by its habit of turning 
over small stones and shells with its bill. 
Nest. — A slight depression in the ground, sometimes lined with grass. 
Eggs . — Four, pale green, covered all over, but more so on the larger 
end, with irregular-shaped markings of olive-brown and lavender. 
Breeding-season: June and July (breeds in the Arctic regions). 
30. Beach Stone-curlew Orthorhamphus magnirostris Vieillot 
Or-tho-rhamph'-us — Gk, orthos, straight; Gk, rharnphos, bill: mag-ni-ros - 
tris — L., magnus, great ; L., rostrum, bill. 
Distribution. — Northern Australia, from Shark Bay (Western Aus- 
tralia) to Morcton Bay (Queensland) ; also occurs in the Andaman Islands, 
Malay Archipelago, Borneo, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. 
Notes. — Also called Large-billed Shore-plover and Australian Long- 
billed Plover. Usually singly or in pairs, frequenting mud and sandy 
seashores of the mainland or islands off the coast. Its call is very similar 
to that of the Eastern Stone-curlew, but harsher in tone. Food: small 
crustaceans and shell-fish. 
Nest. — None made, the eggs being laid on the sand, generally just 
above high-tide mark. 
Eggs. — One or two, creamy- white, covered with irregular-shaped 
streaks and blotches of dark olive-brown; some of the markings are large 
and bold, and others mere blotches. Breeding-season: October. 
