SAND GROUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9164, 20 September 1888, Page 6

SAND GROUSE.

One of the most interesting events in connection with ornithology that, has taken place for many years has lately been going on in the old country, in the shaj.>e of an irruption into Europe of Pollen's sand grouse from the steppes of Tartary, quite a number of the birds having arrived in England. It is conjectured that the cause of the irruption is probably owing to the fact that, having in their natural haunts not many enemies, they are liable to overstep the limits of population, and eo they migrate to other pastures, the birds being capable of swift and continuous Sight. It appears there have been similar visitations of these graceful birds before, but not in such large numbers. The Pall Mall Gazette, from which I am quoting, says : —"Nearly a quarter of a century ago upwards of 700 of these birds made their appearance in various parts of Britain, as many as SO occurring in a single county. Such a reception, nowever, were these rare visitants accorded that probably not one escaped. Many of the flocks sought out sandy tracts eomewhat like those they had left, and, ■what was more important, they seemed to find food to their liking. They arrived in the spring time, some of them even deposited their eggs, and, had it not been for the merciless manner in which they were done to death wherever they made their appearance, they might have established a permanent residence here. Now, how-, ever, we are again given an opportunity of adding a valuable game bird to the British fauna. Some weeks since the advanced guard of a large flock of sand grouse moving westward made their appearance on our shores, and others arrive daily, until now they have dispersed themselves over many counties." From a description given of the birds, it appears that sand grouse are remarkable in many respects. About as large as pigeons, they have long, pointed wings and tail. As to their colour, the upper plumage is yellow, passing into light bay crossed with black ; the head and throat are orange, the under parts being grey and black. The bird has affinities with pigeons and plovers, and the arrival of these grouse in England has caused a good deal of interest amongst lovers of birds and of science. Like all birds of their kind, sand grouse are fond of basking in the sun, and this habit they indulge to the utmost in. the desert wastes ■which form their home. Early in the morning they vieit fresh water, calling as they fly, and each pair collecting others along the route. They feed upon the seeds of weeds, and are partial to the saline plants which in many places cover the desert dunes. Like all desert birds, they assimilate marvellously with their surroundings ; and sometimes at a warning cry a vast flock rises where but a moment before not a bird was to be seen. When alarmed, they fly fast and tar; so fast that no falcon can catch them, and straighter than a trained pigeon. "When about to migrate, they concentrate themselves in vast flocks, sometimes consisting of thousands of birds. They always arrive and take their departure in the night, and spread themselves over immense tracts of country. The want of water would seem to dictate most of their movements, and it is during the summer they leave the steppes for the south-western countries, where both food and water are abundant.