Turnstone

[Sarah]

Any species of limicoline birds of the genera Strepsilas andArenaria, allied to the plovers, especially the common American andEuropean species (Strepsilas interpres). They are so called fromtheir habit of turning up small stones in search of mollusks andother aquatic animals. Called also brant bird, sand runner, seaquail, sea lark, sparkback, and skirlcrake. Black turnstone, theCalifornia turnstone (Arenaria melanocephala). The adult in summer ismostly black, except some white streaks on the chest and forehead,and two white loral spots.