THE IRRUPTION OF PALLAS' SAND-GROUSE. 



Co. Durham. — Six were noticed in a field between Bishop 

 Auckland and Byers Green, on June 3rd. — T. H. Nelson, Redcar, 

 13th July, 1888. 



Derbyshire. — A specimen of this bird came to grief by striking 

 the telegraph wires at Breaston, a village near the Derwent, and a 

 second bird was reported at the same time ; both occurrences were 

 noted at the end of May. — F. B. Whitlock, Attenborough, 3rd July, 

 1888. 



Isle of Man. — A correspondent residing in the Isle of Man 

 informs me that a large flock of about fifty visited the Island early 

 in July. — T. H. Nelson, Redcar, 13th July, 1888. 



Nottinghamshire. — Mr. Whitaker, of Rainworth, writing to 

 The Field, records the occurrence of a single specimen on June 14th. 

 When first observed it was flying towards him. He describes it as 

 looking like a gigantic Swift. He also states that it uttered a loud 

 note, like ' teck, teck, teck.' — F. B. Whitlock, Attenborough, 

 3rd July, 1888. 



Cleveland^ Yorkshire. — According to the information I have 

 been able to collect, it appears that Sand-Grouse {Syrrhaptes para- 

 doxus) were seen here in the second week in May, the precise date I 

 could not ascertain ; a flock of six was first noticed at the Tees mouth, 

 and frequently observed until June. Most probably all these birds 

 perished, as several were found dead on the neighbouring salt- 

 marshes ; the tail and a foot of one were brought to me on the 12th 

 of June. On May 22nd a female, in good condition, was picked up 

 on the sands east of Redcar ; the ovary contained eggs the size of 

 No. I shot. About the same date another specimen was washed up 

 by the tide ; I saw the remains of this bird as late as the 28th of 

 June. On the 7th June five were shot from a large flock near 

 Marske. I had an opportunity of examining them shortly after- 

 wards, and secured two ; there were four females and one male ; all 

 the females had eggs in the ovaries, and one had evidently nested, as 

 the ovary had only two eggs, one the size of a hazel-nut. On June the 

 10th a flock of twelve was seen on the Redcar sand-hills ; on the 

 1 2th a flight passed one of the fishing-boats at sea, heading towards 

 land. Other flocks have been reported at various times, but probably 

 they formed part of those already mentioned, although, on the other 



Aug. 1888. p 



