190 BRITISH BIRDS. 



GLOSSY IBISES IN ORKNEY. 



On September 24tli last, a flock of about twenty Glossy Ibises 

 {Plegddis falcinellus) appeared at Sandwick, a small township 

 about four miles inland, and about eight miles from Stromness, 

 Orkney, where they frequented some marshy ground. The man 

 who made the discovery did not think of shooting them at first, 

 and so for three days they remained in peace, but on the 27th 

 this idea seemed to strike him, and from this date until October 

 1st he shot two or three each day as they were feeding in a 

 burn, until he had accounted for no less than ten. Tbey were 

 very wary, and rose high in the air when disturbed. Most of 

 them were sent, I believe, to Mr. Mallock, of Perth, and it would 

 be interesting to know whether they were old or young birds. 

 I do not think there are a dozen records of this bird having 

 visited Scotland, and the occurrence of a flock of them in 

 Orkney is most unusual, as I believe the species has only 

 occurred twice before in these islands, viz., a young bird near 

 Stromness on September 19th, 1903, which I mentioned in the 

 'Field," etc., at the time, and another near Kirkwall as long ago 

 as September, 1857. It Avill be noticed that the three occurrences 

 wei'e all in September, during the autumn migration. 



H. W. EOBINSON. 



PALLAS'S SAND-GROUSE IN MIDDLESEX. 



At noon on Monday, September 23rd, when sitting with 

 Mr. Henry M. Hill on the lawn in front of his residence, 

 Downage, Hendon, I saw a Pallas's Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes 

 parado'Us) flving towards us. It was alone and, at an altitude 

 of not more than sixty feet, passed directly over our heads, 

 giving me a splendid opportunity of carefully observing and 

 identifying it. It flew rapidly over the house, taking a course 

 due north. I have never previously had the pleasure of seeing 

 this bird alive, but have had ample opportunities of studying, 

 amongst others, the specimens which were obtained in Stafford- 

 shire, in 1863, by the late Mr. Samuel Yates of Eccleshall. 



W. Wells Bladen. 



PARTRIDGE CARRYING A YOUNG ONE. 

 On August 28th last, on the downs near Corfe Castle, I put up a 

 covey of Partridges a little more than half grown. In the rear 

 came the mother (unless it was the lather) camying one of her 

 familv, presumably a weakly one, in her claws. I was able to 

 see tliis clearly, as I was quite near when they rose. 



F. W. Headley. 



