TURN-STONE. 
33 
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 almost 
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 wagons for manure, and when placed at the hills of maize, 
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 woi k 
it is exceedingly dexterous ; and even when taken and donmsti- 
cated, is said to retain the same habit.* Its bill seems particu- 
Catesby. 
VOL. VII. 
I 
