On the Reappearance of Pallas's Sand Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus) in Europe

Abstract

THIS bird suddenly reappeared at the end of April of this year at different localities of Central Europe, not having migrated so far since 1863. A. R. Wallace, in his important work, “The Geographical Distribution of Animals,” published in 1876, figured this sand grouse among the characteristic birds of Mongolia (vol. i. p. 226, plate 3), and remarks:—“A curious bird, whose native country seems to be the high plains of Northern Asia, but which often abounds near Pekin, and in 1863 astonished European ornithologists by appearing in considerable numbers in Central and Western Europe, in every part of Great Britain, and even in Ireland.” Vol. ii. p. 337, the same author says in the work quoted:—“Syrrhaptes normally inhabits Tartary, Thibet, and Mongolia to the country around Pekin, and occasionally visits Eastern Europe. But a few years back (1863) great numbers suddenly appeared in Europe, and extended westward to the shores of the Atlantic, while some even reached Ireland and the Faroes.”