BRITISH BIRDS. l6l 



short, feathered ; toes, three only, directed forward and 

 united by a membrane. 



250. Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pall,). PALLAS'S 

 SAND-GROUSE. 



Hab. Central Asia. In autumn migrating southward, 

 eastward or westward, irregularly invading Europe at this 

 season, or on return migration in spring. 



The first irruption occurred in 1859; a second in 

 1863-64 ; a third and fourth in 1872 and 1876 ; a fifth and 

 greatest in 1888-89. The latter extended over whole of 

 British Isles, and eggs were found in Norfolk, Nottingham- 

 shire and Yorkshire, and a nestling in Scotland. 



ORDER 



Family Phasianidse. 



GENUS CXXXVII. PHASIANUS, Linnaeus (1766). 

 Bill moderate, stout, strong, upper mandible decurved at 

 tip. Tail very long, graduated. Tarsus furnished behind 

 with a sharp spur in male ; toes three in front, united to 

 first joint, one behind. 



251. Phasianus eolehieus, Linn. PHEASANT. 



Hab. S.E. Europe and Asia Minor (originally) ; also 

 most of Europe (introduced). 



Common in preserves ; the offspring of hybrids between 

 this and the Red-necked Pheasant appear, however, to be 

 more prevalent than pure-bred birds. 



GENUS CXXXVIII. CACCABIS, Kaup (1829). 

 252. Caeeabis rufa (Linn.). RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE. 

 Hab. Western Europe. 



Introduced more than a century ago ; now common in 

 S.E. of England from Sussex to Norfolk. 



M 



