8686 



Birds, 



dinner of the Acclimatisation Society, which is announced to take place on July 1st. 

 — Arthur W. Crichlon ; Oxford and Cambridge Club, June 12. — ' Times. 1 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — I have just obtained a brace of sand grouse, 

 shot this morning on this beach. They are male and female. The forked tail- 

 feathers are found in both. The feet are not unlike those of a hedgehog. The birds 

 are in the hands of Mr. Drewett, of Fakenham, to be stuffed, and can be seen there by 

 any of your correspondents in this locality who may be desirous of doing so. — 

 M. Dodman ; Tilchwell, Norfolk, June 10, 1863 — 'Field.' 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — Since my last receipts as to the brace of Pallas' 

 sand grouse that were procured on this coast, I obtained, on the day following my 

 advice to you, two brace more, in fine condition and good plumage, but one brace too 

 much shot to be preserved ; the other brace has been forwarded to an eminent bird- 

 preserver in Norwich.— M. Dodman ; Titchwell, near Lynn, June 13, 1863. — 'Field.' 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — The sand grouse have been found to have eggs 

 in them. Can you or any of your correspondents inform me whether, if they hatched 

 their young in this country, they would remain here, and whether, as natives of a 

 warmer climate, they would be likely to survive our winter ? A covey of sixteen was 

 seen here on Sunday. — W. Dodman; Titchwell, Norfolk. — 'Field? 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — I have just seen three specimens of the beautiful 

 little sand grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), which were shot last week on the sands near 

 this place. They are exquisite little birds, resembling the pigeon family about the 

 head and neck, but decidedly grouse-like in the legs and feet. The latter are of the 

 most diminutive proportions, and clothed with feathers to the extremities of the toes. 

 I hear this morning that nine more have been seen on the beach, but were too wild to 

 be got at. — F. Tearle ; Hunstanton, June 30, 1863. — 'Field' 



Pallas 1 Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — I have just received for preservation another of 

 those inhospitably treated birds, the Pallas' sand grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), killed 

 in Norfolk. I found on examination this bird had laid all its eggs but two, and these 

 were about the size of a hazel nut. This bird, I am told, was alone when killed, and 

 no other could be found. I think it probable, therefore, that the cock bird may be 

 amongst the many received by my father during this last week, killed in an adjoining 

 locality. Having had the opportunity of dealing with several specimens, I am enabled 

 to assert with confidence that this persecuted bird is possessed of considerable gastro- 

 nomic virtues. This fact 1 think unfortunate, as I fear it may form a double incentive 

 to their destruction. It must, however, be the wish of all, as there are several flocks 

 known to exist here at present, that this foreign and remarkable visitor be spared, or 

 at least during the present period of nidification. — Edwin Ward; 11, Thayer Street, 

 Manchester Square. — ' Field.' 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — Several specimens of sand grouse have been 

 obtained on the coast of Norfolk, between Lynn and Yarmouth, within the last two 

 or three weeks. To-day (June 13) I saw five birds in the shop of Mr. Sayer, bird- 

 preserver, of Norwich. He says he has had no less than eleven specimens through 

 his hands during the last few weeks. A gentleman who shot a brace of these birds 

 told Mr. Sayer that there were no less than fifteen or twenty birds in the pack. 

 —'Field.' 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Norfolk. — Many more coveys of Pallas' sand grouse have 

 visited this locality since my last note on the subject, and I have procured a very 

 handsome male specimen. On Thursday, the 11th instant, a covey of fifteen passed 



