Scharff — Occurrence of Pallas' s Sandgrouse in Ireland. 279 



China, passing the great wall, to the plains of Tartary, where they 

 nest in the sand. 



In the great desert of Gobi, the well-known Russian explorer, 

 Colonel Prjevalski, found the species wintering from the middle of 

 October, often meeting with flocks of several thousand individuals. 

 These flocks feed largely on the seeds of the Agriophyttum gobicum, a 

 plant related to our goosefoot, or common wild spinach (Chcno- 

 podimn). They are also fond of the young, juicy shoots of 

 Salicornige. That they would, if unmolested, soon become habitu- 

 ated to the food to be found in this country is evidenced by the 

 fact, that those killed at the date of the last irruption in Norfolk 

 were recorded by Mr. Stevenson to have had in their crops the 

 seeds of plants common on the sandy coast of the country, but 

 without trace of insect or other animal food. 



They fly with great swiftness, making a peculiar sound with 

 their wings, so that a large flock can be heard at a considerable 

 distance. 



This second European irruption was predicted by Professor 

 Newton, who, writing in the Ibis, twenty-five years ago, said : 

 " Unless some physical change occurs in the Tartar steppes, which 

 may have the effect of relieving the pressure, another outpouring 

 may be safely predicted, and probably the thrice-found channel 

 will be again used by the emigrating population." 



The pressure to which the Professor alludes is that arising from 

 the natural increase of the numbers of the bird, which has few 

 enemies in its own haunts, and whose powers of flight are so great, 

 that healthy and vigorous specimens have no difficulty in escaping 

 the attacks of falcons. 



The Syrrhaptes is the highest type of the group to which it 

 belongs, and from the short time necessary for incubation, and the 

 rapid growth of the young, has increased to such an extent, that 

 it may literally have been seeking new pastures, and endeavouring 

 to extend its range. It could not traverse northward for climatic 

 reasons ; eastward its range is limited by the Pacific ; southward 

 is the larger bird of the same genus (S. tibetanus), and it could only 

 therefore proceed westward ; hence the exodus has now occurred 

 again. 



The first report of the arrival of Pallas's sandgrouse in England 

 this year came from Winterton, in Norfolk. Mr. E. R. Boult 



SCIX. PKOC. U.li.s. — VOL. VI., FT. v. Y 



