RECENT OCCURENCE OF PALLAS’ SAND GROUSE. 
NOTES UPON THE RECENT OCCURRENCE 
OF PALLAS’ SAND GROUSE.* 
BY R. W. CHASE. 
At the end of last month another irruption of Pallas’ 
Sand Grouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus , took place in this country, 
similar to that which occurred in 1863. Curiously enough, 
the date of their arrival on the present occasion was almost 
identical with that of twenty-five years ago. 
Professor Newton intimated that in all probability another 
invasion would take place, as he considered that the cause of 
this species appearing in Europe was the inordinate increase 
in their natural habitat—the Steppes of Tartary; and that 
unless some unforeseen circumstance checked their increase, 
we might expect another immigration of their surplus, which 
prophecy has been amply fulfilled during the last few weeks. 
I cannot help thinking that the cause of this Asiatic 
species visiting Europe is more likely to be some climatic 
influence, such as wind or extreme cold, which diverted the 
flocks when moving to their breeding stations, and caused 
them to look for a suitable district in another direction ; 
because if it were a matter of surplus population only, surely 
their hereditary habitat would become over-stocked within a 
less period than twenty-five years. 
Pallas’ Sand Grouse is an attractive species, irrespective 
of its rarity in our islands, possessing some most interesting 
characteristics, especially the formation of the foot, in 
which the toes are united together, forming a sole with 
a rugous horny covering, the hind toe being wanting, and 
the legs are completely feathered down to the toes. 
The power of flight must be immense, judging from the 
elongation of the primaries and depth of keel of sternum. I 
have received numerous letters informing me of the occurrence 
of these Sand Grouse in different parts of the country, and as 
it is desirable to obtain as complete a record as possible, 
perhaps the following may be of interest:—On the 18th of 
May, a male shot at Welwich, near Patrington, out of a flock 
of about twenty. On the 22nd, a female shot at Spurn, out 
of a flock of seven, and same day seven were seen on the 
Denes at Yarmouth. On the 24th, a female shot at Rough 
Hills, Wolverhampton. On June 1st, a flock on Holy Island, 
of which several were shot. Same dav four were shot at 
4 / 
Horsey. Norfolk. On the 2nd, fourteen were seen at Fleg 
* Read before the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical 
Society, 12th June, 1888. 
