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Webster 1913 Edition

Turnstone

Turn′stoneˊ

,
Noun.
(Zool.)
Any species of limicoline birds of the genera
Strepsilas
and
Arenaria
, allied to the plovers, especially the common American and European species (
Strepsilas interpres
). They are so called from their habit of turning up small stones in search of mollusks and other aquatic animals. Called also
brant bird
,
sand runner
,
sea quail
,
sea lark
,
sparkback
, and
skirlcrake
.
Black turnstone
,
the California turnstone (
Arenaria melanocephala
). The adult in summer is mostly black, except some white streaks on the chest and forehead, and two white loral spots.

Webster 1828 Edition

Turnstone

TURN'STONE

,
Noun.
[turn and stone.] A bird, called the sea-dotterel, the Tringa morinella, a little larger than an English blackbird. This bird takes its name from its practice of turning up small stones in search of insects.

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