The Turtle Dove 



structing a frail nest of twigs on which to lay its two white 

 eggs. It feeds on seeds and grain, gathering in large flocks 

 in the open fields in autumn before migrating. The note 

 is a prolonged purring " coo." 



The male has the head, nape, wing coverts, rump, 

 and flanks bluish ash, and a patch of black feathers tipped 

 with white on each side of the neck. Eest of the back dark 

 brown with broad rufous edges to each feather. Throat and 

 breast pale vinaceous, rest of under parts white. Tail 

 feathers dark brown, tipped with white. Length 11 -2 5 in. ; 

 wing 6*8 in. 



A single example of the Eufous Turtle Dove {Turtur 

 orientalis, Latham) was obtained near Scarborough. It 

 inhabits India and the East, and hardly differs from our 

 common species, but may be distinguished by its slaty blue 

 rump. 



PALLAS' SAND GROUSE 



Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pallas) 



The real home of this species is east of the Caspian, 

 spreading through Asia to Mongolia and Southern Dauria. 

 On several occasions during the last fifty years Europe has 

 witnessed an extraordinary immigration of these birds, 

 which spread westwards in countless numbers. The first 

 wave to reach our islands arrived during the latter half 

 of 1859, and four years later a larger invasion took place, 

 the birds spreading throughout the country. The largest 



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