This small plover-like bird is found on the sea-coasts of nearly all
countries; in America, from Greenland and Alaska to Chili and Brazil;
more or less common in the interior along the shores of the Great Lakes
and larger rivers.
It is generally found in company with flocks of the smaller species of
Sandpipers, its boldly marked plumage contrasting with surroundings,
while the Sandpipers mingle with the sands and unless revealed by some
abrupt movement can hardly be seen at a little distance.
The name Turnstone has been applied to this bird on account of its
curious habit of dexterously inserting its bill beneath stones and
pebbles along the shore in quest of food, overturning them in search of
the insects or prey of any kind which may be lurking beneath. It is
found on smooth, sandy beaches, though more commonly about the base of
rocky cliffs and cones. The eggs of horseshoe crabs are its particular
delight.
In the nesting season the Turnstone is widely distributed throughout
the northern portions of both continents, and wanders southward along
the sea-coasts of all countries. In America it breeds commonly in the
Barren Lands of the Arctic coasts and the Anderson River districts, on
the Islands of Franklin and Liverpool bays, nesting in July. In the
Hudson's Bay country the eggs are laid in June. The nest is a hollow
scratched in the earth, and is lined with bits of grass.
The Turnstone is known by various names: "Brant Bird," "Bead-bird,"
"Horse-foot-Snipe," "Sand-runner," "Calico-back," "Chicaric" and
"Chickling." The two latter names have reference to its rasping notes,
"Calico-back," to the variegated plumage of the upper parts.
In summer the adults are oddly pied above with black, white, brown, and
chestnut-red, but the red is totally wanting in winter. They differ from
the true Plovers in the well developed hind-toe, and the strong claws,
but chiefly in the more robust feet, without trace of web between the
toes.
The eggs are greenish-drab in color, spotted, blotched, and dotted
irregularly and thickly with yellowish and umber brown. The eggs are two
or four, abruptly pyriform in shape.