268 
TURNSTONES: OYSTER-CATCHERS 
treasures. Its plaintive note is easily distinguishable from the calls 
of its near allies. 
The Mountain Plover {281. Podasocys montanus ), a western species, is 
of accidental occurrence in Florida. The upperparts are grayish brown 
margined with rufous, the underparts are white tinged with buffy on the 
breast; in adults the front of the crown and lores are black. L., about 8*75; 
W., 5*75; Tar., P50; B., *85. 
28. Family Aphrizid^. Surf-birds and Turnstones 
A small family of three species, all of which are found in North 
America, though but one of these visits our Eastern States. They are 
largely maritime birds, frequenting the seacoasts, where they prefer 
the outer beaches. 
285. Arenaria interpres interpres {Linn.). Turnstone. Similar to 
No. 283a, A. i. morinella , but larger (W. 6.00) and, in the adult the upper- 
parts with black prevailing. Im.- — Blacker than young of morinella. 
Range. — Old World. Breeds in w. Alaska from Pt. Barrow to the Yukon 
delta, and in w. Greenland, Scandinavia, n. Russia, Siberia, and Japan; 
winters on the coasts of Europe and Asia to s. Africa, Australia, and 
Oceanica. 
283a. A. i. morinella {Linn.). Ruddy Turnstone. Ads. in summer. 
— Upperparts, including wings, strikingly variegated with rufous, black and 
white; tail white at base, a black band near its end, and tipped with white; 
throat and breast black and white; belly white. Winter plumage. — Upper- 
parts blackish, bordered with brownish gray or ashy; lower back white ; 
longer upper tail-coverts white, shorter ones black; tail as in adult; throat 
white, breast black margined with white, belly white. L., 9*50; W., 6'00; 
Tar., *95; B., 1*00. 
Range. — N. and S. A. Breeds on Arctic shores from Mackenzie River 
e., probably, to Melville Peninsula, and n. to Melville Is.; winters from cen. 
Calif., Tex., La., and S. C., to s. Brazil and cen. Chile. 
Washington, rare and irregular T. Y. Long Island, common T. V., May; 
Aug. and Sept. Ossining, A. V. N. Ohio, irregular T. V., May 5-25; Sept. 
1-25. SE. Minn., rare T. V. 
Eggs, 3-4, clay-color, blotched and scrawled with grayish brown, P60 X 
1T5. Date, Mackenzie River, June 28 (Thayer Coll.). 
This maritime species is found singly or in small flocks, generally 
on the outer beaches, where it obtains its food by turning over shells 
and pebbles in search of insects, crustaceans, etc. 
29. Family H^ematopodid^. Oyster-catchers 
The Oyster-catchers number twelve species, represented in most 
of the warmer parts of the globe. But three species are found in North 
America, and only one of these occurs in the Eastern States. They are 
strictly maritime birds, and resort to the outer bars and beaches in 
search of clams, mussels, etc., exposed by the tide. Their strong bill is 
used as an oyster-knife to force open the shells of these bivalves. 
286. Hsematopus palliatus Temm. Oyster-catcher. Ad. — Head, 
neck, and upper breast glossy black, back and wing-coverts olive-brown. 
