PALLAS'S SAND GROUSE (_Syrrhaptes paradoxus_), the representative of a
group inhabiting Asia, is distinguished by the long bristle-like point
in which the first wing-quill terminates, and by the shortness of its
toes; these latter--three in number--are very broad, and so connected by
a fold of skin as to present, when seen from beneath, the appearance of a
foot-sole without toes. The claws are broad and strong, and the connecting
skin covered with horny warts.
This Sand Grouse is fifteen inches long, without including the
longest tail-feathers, and twenty-three inches broad, exclusive of
the bristle-like wing-quills; the wing measures seven inches, and the
tail four inches and a half, or seven inches inclusive of its central
tail-feathers. The female is shorter and more slender than her mate. In
this species, the top of the head and a line that commences at the eyes
and passes over the sides of the throat are dark grey; the region of the
head is separated from the greyish yellow breast by a band formed of
delicate black and white lines; the upper belly is brownish black, its
lower portion and the feathers of the middle tail-covers light grey; the
throat, brow, a broad stripe over the eyes, and the back are clay-yellow,
the latter striped with a deeper shade. The quills are dark grey, those
at the exterior being bordered with black on the outer, and the rest with
grey on the inner web; the shoulder-feathers are of a brownish hue, edged
with yellow, and tipped with white, and those on the inner wing-covers
yellowish brown, tipped with blackish brown; the plumage on the tarsi is
yellowish white. The female is without the band upon her breast, and is of
a paler shade upon the face and lower belly; her plumage is also rather
spotted than striped.
These singular looking birds, respecting whose habits we have only
recently received reliable information, inhabit Southern Europe, Africa,
and Asia, living in dry sandy deserts, bare or rocky plains, or bushy or
woody grounds, and are especially numerous in the neighbourhood of low
hills. They are usually met with singly, or in pairs, except when such as
occupy the desert plains resort to water, which they do in flocks. When
flushed, they rise with a low chuckling call, fly for a short distance,
and then alight. If followed, they run along the ground for a few steps,
and with difficulty rise again. "Others, however," Dr. Smith tells us,
"fly to a great height and suddenly descend, when they approach the water
on their feeding grounds; sometimes this descent is not commenced till
they are directly over the spot on which they purpose to alight. On such
occasions they are obliged to make a circular or semi-circular sweep,
before they can reach the desired locality." Their food consists of hard
seeds, bulbs, and insects, mixed with fine gravel. The two eggs which are
deposited on the bare ground are elliptical in form, about seventeen or
eighteen lines long by twelve or thirteen lines broad at their centre, and
have a greenish-greyish yellow shell, marked, dotted, and streaked with
various shades of greyish brown; in some instances one end of the egg is
decorated with a wreath of spots.
* * * * *
The GROUSE TRIBE (_Tetraonidæ_) constitute the richest group of the entire
order. These birds have a compact body, short neck, small head, and short
powerful beak, with a thick base. The foot is short, the tarsus moderate;
the wing of medium length, and usually much rounded; the tail is generally
straight, but in some instances pointed or incised at its extremity. The
thick plumage in most species extends over the entire body, even to the
toes; some few also exhibit bare patches of brightly-tinted skin. The
sexes are nearly alike in colour. The members of this tribe inhabit almost
every latitude of the globe.
* * * * *
The GROUSE PROPER (_Tetraones_) are recognisable by their powerful,
compact bodies, short, or moderate-sized wings, and short straight tail;
the latter, however, is occasionally long, and either wedge-shaped or
forked at its extremity. The bill is strong, thick, short, and much
vaulted, and the foot low and powerful, with more or less well-feathered
tarsus. The plumage is thick and rich, the brow and nape often exhibit
bare patches, covered with small horny plates of a bright red colour. The
toes of some species are covered with a short and remarkable horny growth.
[Illustration: PALLAS'S SAND GROUSE, OR SAND GROUSE OF THE STEPPES.]
These birds are met with throughout the whole of Europe, Asia, and North
America, but are quite unknown in Africa. All are, without exception,
stationary in their habits, and rarely undertake expeditions to any
great distance from their native haunts. During the period of incubation
they live alone or in pairs, but at other times in parties, which often
unite into large flocks. Their food consists of fruits, seeds, the
young shoots of plants and trees, insects, and larvæ. Some species are
polygamous, but many pair; in the latter case, at least, both males and
females assist in rearing the young. Although by no means highly endowed,
the _Tetraones_ have their sense of sight and hearing well developed. They
walk quickly, but fly heavily, and with much noise, resorting but rarely
to this means of progression, and never rising to any height in the air.
The increase of these birds is very rapid, the female laying from eight to
sixteen eggs, oval in shape, smooth, yellowish, and spotted with brown. No
actual nest is prepared for their reception, a slight hollow in the earth,
carelessly lined with some soft material, being all that is required for
the purpose, provided that the situation is sufficiently retired to secure
the safety of the young. We are told by several Swedish naturalists that
not only are these birds subject, like their congeners, to many changes of
plumage, but that they cast their claws, and at the same time the horny
fringes with which their toes are defended.