376 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



menced the re-introduction of that noble species to 

 the Highlands, where, by strict preservation and care 

 in breeding, they have since become more and more 

 plentiful. Having, occasionally, heard rumours that 

 red-grouse were also turned off, some years ago, at 

 Sherringham, near Cromer, I am happy to be able, on 

 Mr. Upcher's authority, to state positively that such 

 is not the case ; the error has most probably arisen 

 from the fact that blackcocks were turned out on the 

 Sherringham Hills at the same time, I believe, as those 

 on Sir Fowell's property. These birds, as Mr. Upcher 

 informs me, " lived for several years, but gradually 

 became extinct, some being accidentally shot, mistaken 

 for other game (only a glimpse of them being caught as 

 they flew behind trees), or, straying away, were killed, 

 as strange birds, on adjoining properties." Mr. Upcher 

 has also communicated the following interesting note 

 with respect to the wood-grouse : " A cock and hen 

 capercally bred in confinement, but unfortunately, from 

 some cause or other, the hen and little ones died. The 

 cock was turned out in my woods, where he lived for 

 about six months, and then was found dead with a 

 fir-cone stuck in his throat. He had a collar with his 

 direction round his throat, which probably was the 

 cause of his choking." 



SYRRHAPTES PARADOXUS, (Pallas). 

 PALLAS'S SAND-GROUSE. 



No ornithological event, whether in our own or in 

 earlier times, of which we have any record, appears to 

 have excited such universal interest as the irruption of 

 this Tartar species into Europe, during the summer of 

 1863. The extraordinary numbers observed in various 



