Word Study
turnstone
CIDE DICTIONARY
turnstone, n.
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]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
turnstone, n. any wading bird of the genus Arenaria, related to the plover, that looks under stones for small animals to eat.
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