Turnstone

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Turnstone \Turn"stone`\, n. (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}.
     [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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  turnstone
       n : migratory shorebirds of the plover family that turn over
           stones in searching for food