TURNSTONE. 
STREPSILJS INTERPRES. 
At one season or another this species is scattered over every suitable portion of our coast-line with which 
I am acquainted : for tlie most part it resorts to mudbauks and sandy flats as well as low-lying reefs of 
weed-grown rocks ; occasionally, however, I have met with a few birds about the grassy hills round the 
Norfolk broads and at other inland waters. 
Tliough Turnstones are not generally allowed to nest in the British Islands, many of these birds pass 
the summer along our north-east coast, being especially numerous ou the shores of the Birth of Borth 
between Canty Bay and Dunbar, a few also may be seen at this season on the Bern Islands. In order 
to examine the state of their plumage, I have on two or three occasions shot a few of these late-stayino- 
birds, and invariably discovered that although in what might bo styled full summer dress they were never 
so perfect^ in colour as those that pass along the coast in May when on their way to the remote breedino- 
grounds in the far north. Blocks of many of the various species of Waders that frequent our coasts 
marshes, and mudflats may also be met with all through the summer; these, I am of opinion, are juveniles 
la lave not yet attained the age at which they pair and nest. Jndging from observations made in many 
parts of the country, I consider it is improbable that birds of this species breed before the third or 
tourth year. 
The Turnstones that arrive in spring usually appear in small parties of from six or eight up to double 
though a few instances where these birds were densely packed baye come under my notice. In May 187^ 
at least a couple of hundred, in the very finest plumage, settled on the oi„„,ps.. 
that m„ , If taken, have resulted in the death of almost the wdiole body. Not needing specimens I 
. c « heir actions for some time while crowding still closer, at the distance of only forty or fifty yards 
rea y o le disgust of my punt-man, who was anxious to see the effect of a shot. The lai-o-est oatherin- 
ever observed was at the Little Feriy near Golspie in Sutherland, where, in March 1800 ka flve 
uu red swept round the punt and settled on one of the mussel-searps near the main cianner T, ! 
heil° n r '’*• plumage of the immature state, with dull yellow len-s and feet- 
emg able to examine their ranks carefully, I did not need to molest them, this species bdn” it m 
reinataed'- “t l^u^t fifty or sixty of these birds 
ce that date, when visiting this part of the coast. I usually met with small parties- of ten or a dose,,’ 
Sandnii”"” i» such uumbers; liere they occasionally associate with the Purple 
tsandpipers resorting to the same ledges of rock. ^ ^ 
When undisturbed, this species for the most part permits a near approach till constant persecution 
