98 BRITISH BIRDS. 



^ 



a few minutes, this egg with one of a domestic Duck. At 

 some time subsequent to this, and prior to June 22nd, I 

 visited the nest and found her sitting on eight eggs, i.e., seven 

 of her own and the one of the domestic Duck. On July 1st 

 my boatman visited the nest and found her sitting on five 

 eggs only, i.e., two of her own had gone as also the one of the 

 tame Duck. On July 5th, on visiting the nest, he found the 

 eggs had hatched out. Needless to say, I do not consider 

 these observations by any means crucial, but the evidence, 

 such as it is, points in the direction of the incubation period 

 of the Tufted Duck being more than twenty- three days. 



On June 16th, on a small lake island, I found a Tufted 

 Duck's nest with sixteen eggs. One egg was on the top of the 

 other fifteen, they were warm and evidently being incubated. 



H. Trevelyan. 



TEAL AND PHEASANT LAYING IN THE SAME NEST. 



I MET with rather a curious case of a mixed clutch of eggs a 

 few days ago which may be worth recording, viz., a nest 

 with both Teal's and Pheasant's eggs. Both birds laid in one 

 nest, but when I saw it the Teal was in possession, sitting 

 very close. Charles E. Pearson. 



[A number of records show that in the case of Game-birds 

 and Ducks " joint " clutches of eggs are by no means rare. — 

 H.F.W.] 



PALLAS'S SAND-GROUSE IN ENGLAND. 

 An invasion of Pallas's Sand-Grouse {Syrrhaptes paradoxus) 

 into this country was not unexpected since the bird appeared 

 numerously in European Russia in the latter half of April, 

 and has been reported from several parts of Germany 

 (c/. Orn. Monats., 1908, pp. 100 and 132). The following 

 have been reported in England : — Yorkshire. — Three flying 

 high between Burley and Ilkley on May 20th (" Lichen Grey," 

 Country Life, 13, vi., 08). Hampshire. — Five, said to be of 

 this species, were seen near East Liss about the middle of 

 April (" M. I.," Field, 20, vi., 08). Five were clearly identified 

 by Mr. A. O. Lyon, near Burley, New Forest, early in August 

 {in litt.). Two were seen flying N.E. overHavant on July 8th 

 (B. Roper, t.c, 18, vii. 08). Berkshire. — One was picked up 

 near the River Kennet on June 6th (H. D. Astley, t.c., 20, 

 VII., 08). Essex. — A pair was seen several times near 

 Southend-on-Sea in the last week of June (J. Seabrooke, 

 t.c., 4, VII., 08). Surrey. — Three were observed at Holmwood 

 on June 28th (L. Mortimer, I.e.). Norfolk. — Two were seen 

 at Brancaster on June 28th (F. H. Partridge, Z.c.).— H. F. W. 



