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sharply on the ear. When at rest, the males modify the chuckle, 
q to a sound which Mr. R. Mann and Mr. Tandy, hearing it at close 
quarters, compared to the call-note of the Partridge (Perdrix 
cinerea). On August 17th, a male bird at the Zoological Gardens, 
being studied carefully, was noticed to raise his head and cry as 
Mr. Mann had stated; a moment later he uttered the harsher 
chuckle, and two other Sand-grouse ran to him and squatted on 
the gravel beside him. It seems likely then, that the usual call- 
note is the chuckle described by the Russian explorer, modified 
into (1) a sexual call-note, or (2) an alarm note, according to 
circumstances. 
It has been stated by Dr. Hans Gadow that, “from their voice 
we cannot gather much information as to their (Sand-grouse) 
affinities ; but certainly #hey do not coo.” (P. Z. S. 1882, p. 329.) 
This hypothesis is now shaken by the discovery that Pallas 
 Sand-grouse does coo. 
Mr. R. Mann, having no knowledge that the question had ever 
been raised, wrote of a winged female (which he endeavoured with 
_ characteristic kindness, to keep alive for the writer): “We had it 
alive two days, when it died, having no doubt been hit in the body 
_ as well as the wing. When disturbed, it uttered a ‘coo,’ just like a 
_ pigeon willdo.” Desiring independent evidence on this point, refer- 
~ ence was made to the possessor of a living bird, Mr. Macleod of Dun- 
tulm, Skye. This gentleman at once replied: “The Sand-grouse 
was winged on May 28th. The bird does ‘coo’ when frightened. 
_ When pleased, he gives utterance to sounds like ‘cuck-cuck.’ Itis 
extremely fond of water. The only food it takes is oats.” Thus, 
evidence is furnished by two independent observers, unknown to 
one another, that this Sand-grouse sometimes at least does coo. 
Perhaps Dr. Gadow will kindly reconsider his statement. 
(2.) Drinxinc.—The writer has traced the feet of Sand-grouse 
at their watering-places, and is disposed to believe that they drink 
in the forenoon and again about four p.m. On one occasion he 
‘observed a flock arrive in the neighbourhood of some pools, 
_ apparently to satisfy thirst, at the hour indicated, though this may 
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