Turnstone

Turnstone
Turnstone Turn"stone`, n. (Zo["o]l.) 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}. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • turnstone — [tʉrn′stōn΄] n. any of a genus (Arenaria, family Scolopacidae) of small, migratory shorebirds, esp., the ruddy turnstone ( A. interpres): so called because they turn over pebbles to seek food …   English World dictionary

  • Turnstone — Taxobox name = Turnstones image width = 205px image caption = Ruddy Turnstone in nonbreeding plumage image2 width = 205px image2 caption = Black Turnstone in winter plumage regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Aves subclassis =… …   Wikipedia

  • turnstone — /terrn stohn /, n. 1. any shorebird of the genus Arenaria, characterized by the habit of turning over stones in search of food. 2. Brit. See ruddy turnstone. [1665 75; TURN + STONE] * * * ▪ bird       either of two species of shorebirds (genus… …   Universalium

  • Turnstone — akmenė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Arenaria interpres angl. Turnstone vok. Steinwälzer …   Paukščių anatomijos terminai

  • turnstone — akmenės statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas atitikmenys: lot. Arenaria angl. turnstone vok. Steinwälzer, m rus. камнешарка, f pranc. tourne pierre, m ryšiai: platesnis terminas – akmenės siauresnis terminas – juodoji akmenė siauresnis terminas …   Paukščių pavadinimų žodynas

  • turnstone — noun Etymology: from a habit of turning over stones to find food Date: circa 1674 either of two shorebirds (genus Arenaria) of the sandpiper family: a. a bird (A. interpres) of worldwide distribution that has black and chestnut upperparts and a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • turnstone — noun Either of two species of coastal wading bird, Arenaria interpres and Arenaria melanocephala. They breed in the Arctic and readily turn stones or seaweed looking for hidden invertebrates …   Wiktionary

  • turnstone — noun a small short billed sandpiper noted for turning over stones to find small animals. [Genus Arenaria: two species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • turnstone — turn•stone [[t]ˈtɜrnˌstoʊn[/t]] n. orn any of several shorebirds of the genus Arenaria, of the sandpiper family, having a slender, upturned bill used for turning over pebbles in search of food • Etymology: 1665–75 …   From formal English to slang

  • turnstone — /ˈtɜnstoʊn / (say ternstohn) noun any of the small, migratory, shorebirds constituting the genus Arenaria, notable for their habit of turning over stones in search of food, especially A. interpres, common in both Old and New Worlds …  

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