2l6
THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
Order PTEROCLETES.
Family PTEROCLIDAE.
Pallas's Sand-grouse : Syrrhaptes paradoxus.
An erratic and occasional visitor to Britain from the Steppes of
Central Asia. It has several times appeared unaccountably in this
country, especially on the eastern side, in small numbers, and twice
in large numbers, namely, in 1863 and 1888. An interesting account
by Professor Newton of the invasion in the former year, may be
found in the Ibis for 1864 (vi. pp. 185—222). On neither occasion
does Essex seem to have had quite its full share of these visitors,
considering the large numbers that have been seen in Norfolk
and Suffolk. Bearing in mind the geographical position of the
county, the numbers visiting it might reasonably have been expected
to be much larger.
In 1863, the following eleven specimens, at least, occurred :—Mr. J. Withers
(23. S6S4), shot one, which was alone and seemed very tired, in the neigh-
bourhood of Forest Gate, in June. Dr. Bree records (29 ; 23. 8684 and 34.
36SS) a male and two females shot in a ploughed field about a quarter of a mile
from the sea at Mersea, on May (?) 29th. They were alone, very tame, in good
condition, and seemed to have come in from the sea. He also records (34. 36S8)
that a female (not mentioned by Prof. Newton), was shot at Peldon, and with the
above two, was added to his Collection. Mr. Smoothy informs me that he saw
three which had been shot near Terling. Mr. Clarke writes that a good
many were shot at Siward's End, near Saffron Walden, the cottagers and others
making " pigeon pies " of them all, except two which passed through Mr. Travis's
hands ! "On expressing my regret to Mr. Gould," adds Mr. Clarke, "at not
obtaining any of them for the Museum, he said, ' Do not fear ! They will breed,
and there will be plenty next year.' He was surprised when I replied, ' No !
There will not be one.' I was right, however, and so it will be again." The
above were probably the same birds which Mr. Travis tells me were shot in a
field of tares by a boy who was scaring birds. He purchased them for 2s., and
afterwards disposed of them for £5 ! Major Ed. Taylor records (29 ; and
23. 8684), that they were shot "about two miles from the town," on June 7th,
and were male and female. A hitherto unrecorded specimen, which is still in
existence, was shot by Mr. J. W. Stallibrass on New Marsh Farm, Foulness
Island, during June. Mr. Stallibrass shot only this one out of the seven he saw,
hoping they would remain and breed; but none were seen on the island after
the middle of July (Fitch—50, ii. 271).