8688 



Birds. 



down ; both are short, and the latter very curious, having soles of thick scaly armour. 

 The toes are exceedingly short, making the footprint almost resemble that of a rat. 

 The cock has a blaze of bright orange on each side of the head, a band of pencilled 

 feathers across the crop, and a dark patch on the belly. This bird is said to be an 

 inhabitant of Chinese Tartary. How came it in the Isle of Walney ? If for the 

 purpose of breeding surely it ought not to be disturbed. It is, of course, illegal to kill 

 at this season, and I trust the people of Walney will protect and encourage this singular 

 bird. They found a great loss in the expulsion of the sea gull from its breeding ground 

 there. It is now returning, and probably will be protected. Let us hope that Pallas 

 sand grouse may also find in the island a safe breeding ground. — E. J. Schollick ; 

 Aldingham Hall, Ulver stone.—'' Times.' 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Yorkshire. — At the end of last month a flock of sand grouse 

 was seen on the moors near Sheffield, and four specimens were shot, two of which 

 have been preserved. — Charles D one aster ; Sheffield, June 24, 1863. 



[My correspondent adds a minute description, which leaves no doubt as to the 

 species. — Edward Newman]. 



African Sand Grouse in Yorkshire. — I have seen a brace of those beautiful birds, 

 the African sand grouse (Pterocles setarius), in fine plumage. They were male and 

 female, and were shot the other day within a mile of the Sheffield Moors. A covey of 

 twelve or fourteen were observed feeding in a grass field, and ray neighbour, not having 

 the slightest idea that they were grouse, shot a brace. They are a light cream colour 

 and spotted, with pinnated tails about the size of a pigeon, with very remarkable feet, 

 not unlike a rat's hind feet. Are they not rare visitants to these moors ? and are the 

 remaining ten or twelve birds likely to breed here? as they will be preserved if they 

 remain in the same locality, now that they are knowu to be grouse. — C. Rawson; 

 Sheffield.—' Field: 



[The name is doubtless a mistake. — Edward Newman]. 



Pallas Sand Grouse in Yorkshire. — A covey of nineteen of these grouse was found 

 last week near Scarborough. On Tuesday, Mr. J. Wilson, of Hotmanby, shot two 

 brace and a half out of the covey above named, a brace of which has been presented 

 to the Mayor of Scarborough for his museum. — ' Times,' June 19, 1863. 



Pallas' Sand Grouse in Yorkshire. — Five specimens of this bird have been shot 

 near Scarborough out of a covey of nineteen, and one about three miles from York 

 out of a covey of four. — Edward Wright ; Fengate, York, June 22, 1863. 



Pallas Sand Grouse in Yorkshire. — Two of these birds were shot out of a covey of 

 fourteen, at Farsley, near Leeds, on Wednesday last. From the circumstance of some 

 of the females having been found full of eggs, and in good condition, it is pretty evident 

 that the migration has been for the purpose of breeding, and it is to be hoped that 

 those under whose notice they may fall will prevent a ruthless slaughter, and endeavour 

 to ascertain something more of the interesting visitors' habits. — York Paper. 



[I must take exception to all the omitted portion of the long article from which 

 the preceding paragraph is cut. The sand grouse found in the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean is of a distinct genus and species, Pterocles alchata ; and those of Asia are 

 probably also distinct ; our lists have twenty species of Pterocles and two of Syrrhaptes. 

 The observation . in question will not apply to any genus or species ; some of them 

 refer to previously published accounts of Pterocles, others to Syrrhaptes. — Edward 

 Newman. 



