GALLIXJE. 261 



dried up ; and without drinking water regularly twice a day Sand-Grouse 

 cannot exist. 



A pair of Pallas's SaucT-Grouse were shot by ]\Ir. Amiiug, of the Royal Sauds Hotel, 

 Slapton Ley, out of a flock of thirteen in June 1863. The birds settled on the sands 

 between Torcross and the hotel. They are now in the possession of Sir Ljdstone 

 Newman, Bart., at Stokeley House, Stokenham ('Field' for July 4th, 1863; Zoul. 186.3, 

 p. 8721 ; H.N., MS. Xotes). An old female was shot by a game-keeper at Heanton 

 Court, near Barnstaple, December lith, 1S()3 (J. L. Langdon Fulford, and M. A. M.. 

 Zool. 1864, p. 89.58). Several were shot at Hartlaud about June 3rd or 4tli, 1888 

 (J. G. H., Zool. 1888, p. 266). 



Order GALLIN.E. 



THE GAME BIRDS. 



The indigenous Game Birds of Devon are but few. In 

 fact but three of the British species can be claimed as 

 genuine natives — namely, the Common Partridge, Quail, 

 and Black Grouse, the first and last being residents, and 

 the second migratory. Of these three the Partridge alone 

 is abundant and increasing in numbers, owing to the 

 improved cultivation of the land ; whilst from the same 

 cause the Black Grouse, or Heatli Poult, as it is called in 

 Devonshire, has decreased, and is now but scantily repre- 

 sented. The Common Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge 

 are introductions, the latter being, happily, not yet 

 naturalized, whilst the former, largely crossed with the 

 Ring-necked Pheasant, is artificially reared in large num- 

 bers in the preserves all over the county, except in the wild 

 open moorlands. But little credit can be attached to the 

 reported occurrence of the Red Grouse and Ptarmigan on 

 Dartmoor, and at best it could have been only accidental. 



Owing to the Gallin£e nesting on the ground, breeding 

 but once in the season, and laying a large number of eggs 

 at a sitting, they are more liable to extermination than 

 other birds, and need protection to enable them to exist. 

 Agricultural operations lead to the destruction of many 



