TURNSTONES. 
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may be recognised by its pure white chin and throat; the general coloration 
of the plumage being mottled black, white, and chestnut, and the total length of 
the bird 9| inches. The black turnstone (S. melanocephalus) of Western North 
America, in addition to its broader wings, differs by the white lower back, and the 
absence of a pure white throat and neck; while the plover-billed turnstone (S. 
virgatus), from the Pacific Coast of America, may always be recognised by the 
vaulted extremity of its beak, and the brown colour of the lower back. 
The common turnstone, which in winter is one of the most cosmopolitan of 
birds, occurring as far away from its northern home as South America and New 
Zealand, takes its name from its habit of overturning pebbles and other stones 
COMMON TURNSTONE. 
with its beak for the purpose of obtaining the various marine creatures that lurk 
beneath their shelter. In such tasks the breast as well as the beak is occasionally 
brought into requisition; and an instance is on record where three of these birds 
combined their forces in order to overturn a stranded fish. Except during migra¬ 
tion, the turnstone is essentially a littoral bird; and in Britain it is generally seen 
in pairs or small parties, frequently in association with other waders. Although 
generally running along the shore, and taking short flights when disturbed, it is not 
destitute of the power of swimming; and its cry is a clear loud whistle. The nest 
is but a poor affair, consisting of a sparsely lined hollow in the sand; and the four 
spotted eggs differ in coloration from those of the plovers, and resemble those of 
the sandpipers and snipe. The slight difference between the summer and winter 
dress of these birds affords further evidence of their scolopaceous affinities. 
