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Dr. Robert Walker informs me that one, which was shot and winged in a turnip-field near 

 St. Andrews, on the 27th January 1858, was brought to him alive, and is now in the University 

 Museum at that town ; and this appears to be the only recorded instance of its occurrence in 

 Scotland. In Ireland, Mr. Thompson states, it is only known as an extremely rare visitant. 



In Great Britain, as in most parts of the Continent, it is a migrant, arriving from the south 

 early in April and leaving again late in the autumn ; but here and there stragglers remain over 

 the winter. In Norfolk, according to Mr. Stevenson, it generally appears about the second week 

 in April, and leaves again in October, collecting together in considerable numbers before 

 departing ; but in mild seasons some are seen as late as November and December ; and he cites 

 several instances of examples having been obtained in November, December, and February even 

 during severe weather. 



It has not been recorded from Sweden, Finland, or Northern Russia; but, according to 

 Kjserbolling, it has been twice shot in Denmark; and Mr. A. Benzon informs me that one of 

 these specimens, labelled " Sjaelland," is now in the Copenhagen Museum. It is not uncommon 

 in North Germany. Borggreve says that he found it numerous as far as Bromberg, but that in 

 East Prussia it is only now and again met with, and is altogether wanting in Upper Silesia. 

 Gloger says that it breeds not unfrequently in Silesia, and it is stated to be common in suitable 

 localities in Pomerania, Brandenburg, and Saxony. In Western Germany its range extends 

 further than that of the Bustard. Mr. Carl Sachse informs me that it does not occur in Rhenish 

 Prussia, but it is very numerous in portions of Saxony, especially in the Altmark, whence he has 

 received its eggs, as also from Carolath, in Silesia. It arrives in Holland in April and leaves in 

 September, and breeds, Professor Schlegel says, in the dunes near Noordwijk and Wassenaar. 

 In Belgium it appears irregularly on the spring and autumn passage on the heaths of the 

 Ardennes, but is rarer in the central districts ; and in France it is more abundant in the south 

 than in the north, being principally found on passage in the latter. In Anjou and other 

 provinces it is found throughout the year, becoming numerous in the plains of the Crau and 

 in the Camargue. Professor Barboza du Bocage speaks of it as being tolerably numerous in 

 Portugal; and Colonel Irby writes (Orn. Str. Gibr. p. 153) that the present species is "resident 

 in considerable numbers, nesting generally about the beginning of May, and depositing its 

 complement of two eggs usually on stony, dry ground. These birds are far more common in 

 the winter months, and most so during their migration, which is northwards during March and 

 April, and southwards in October, November, and December." It rarely remains to nest in 

 Savoy, where it occurs on passage ; and, according to Salvadori, it is resident and rather 

 abundant throughout Italy, its numbers being much augmented at the seasons of passage. In 

 Sicily it is most numerous in winter, frequenting uncultivated plains and the beds of the 

 dried-up streams; but in the spring the majority take their departure; and Doderlein surmises 

 that most of the individuals which remain to breed in the island are late arrivals from Barbary. 

 In Sardinia it is common and resident ; and, according to Mr. C. A. Wright, it is common in 

 Malta in the spring and autumn until the end of November. It breeds there in June and July 

 on the barren rocks in the uncultivated parts of the island, especially about Marfa. It is, he 

 adds, sometimes seen late in the winter, and may be almost considered resident. In Southern 

 Germany it is found on passage almost annually in Bohemia, but is not common everywhere. 



