The Black Turnstone 
In summer this species enjoys a rather more southerly distribution 
than morinella, being found as far south as Sitka. According to Xelson: 
“It breeds among the brackish pools on Saint Michaels Island, and is 
found scattered over the wet Hats everywhere. It is one of the common¬ 
est birds of this locality, its sharp clear note breaking the silence wherever 
one turns his step among the pools and marshy places. It has a habit 
of circling round the intruder, during the nesting season, with a fine 
clear peeping cry like the syllables weet , weet, too-weet, as it moves rest¬ 
lessly about; now stopping a moment on a slight knoll, then running 
hastily along the edge of a neighboring pool, perhaps picking up a scrap 
of food as it runs, and then it mounts on wing again and comes careering 
about, evincing the liveliest distress at the invasion of its haunts.’’ 
The Black Turnstone is at no time so great a wanderer as its ruddy 
cousin. It does not frequent the interior nor does it go further south 
than Santa Margarita Island, in Lower California. While specimens 
may be found throughout 
the summer months, it is 
well known that these are 
non-breeding birds, se- 
nescents, or those which for 
individual reasons fail to 
make the northern flight. 
There is, thus, a fringe of 
local movement along the 
shores of the mainland at all 
times of the year; and the 
bird is one of the best- 
known figures of our coastal 
life. Rarely does it venture 
on the naked sands, and 
then only in company with 
more experienced Sandpip¬ 
ers—Sanderlings, W esterns, 
Ruddy Turnstones, and 
even Killdeers. When dis¬ 
turbed in such company, the 
Blacks will oftenest separate 
themselves and “haul out” 
upon the nearest rock, be it 
never so insignificant. 
J 344 
