Notes on Sand Grouse. By George Bolam. 545 



collections in Newcastle and upon Tyneside. The last of the 

 flocks which frequented the Island was not seen there after 

 9th July. 



From George Robertson at Goswick Fishery, who, in the 

 prosecution of his. calling, is almost daily at Holy Island during 

 the salmon netting season, I learn that though he and his men 

 used frequently to see the birds at Holy Island during May and 

 June, and occasionally flocks or small parties of them flying over 

 the sands which are covered at high water, he only once saw 

 any of them upon the main land. This was about the beginning 

 of June, and the flock which consisted of twelve or fourteen 

 birds, was observed feeding in a field of young barley upon 

 Cheswick farm near the Railway, associated with some tame 

 Pigeons. 



Speaking of the birds generally, Robertson says "they were 

 at first quite tame, but after being shot at a few times, got to be 

 very wild and would not suffer of a near approach ; upon the 

 ground they run rather like Partridges, and when still, hold 

 their heads so high in the air as sometimes to appear almost as 

 if sitting on end." A flock, which Robertson counted as they 

 flew over the sands in front of his house at Goswick, on or about 

 10th June, numbered thirty-two individuals. 



At Ross, which is upon the main land adjoining Holy Island 

 to the south, and where there is a wide expanse of sandy links 

 and moory ground extending to upwards of 800 acres, it was 

 hoped that some of the Sand Grouse would have bred, and no 

 pains were spared by Lord Tankerville, and Mr Hardie, the 

 tenant of the farm, to insure their being, so far as possible, 

 unmolested. But although they arrived here in May, and by 

 the end of that month had gathered into a flock of 30 or 40 

 birds, they were never observed to exhibit any signs of nesting. 

 During the latter part of May, and the whole of the following 

 month, the birds were seen almost daily upon a field of young 

 corn ; later on, one of their favourite haunts was amongst some 

 turnips adjoining the links, and after harvest they were 

 frequently seen upon the stubbles. From the end of June until 

 the 12th July, no Sand Grouse were noticed at Ross, but upon 

 that date a party of fifteen re-appeared and remained for a day 

 or two. After they had left no more were seen until near the 

 beginning of August, when a large flock took up their abode 

 upon the links, and remained until far into the autumn. On 



