Bleating of snipe. There has been much discussion as to the origin of the peculiar drumming or bleating sound made by the snipe, to which it owes its Scotch name of “heather-bleater”, but many at least agree with Brehm.
[Note 21] p. 106.—Sand-grouse.
Sand-grouse (Pterocles and Syrrhaptes), a group of birds quite distinct from the grouse. One species, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, “ranging from Northern China across Central Asia to the confines of Europe”, has shown a tendency to extensive migration, visiting Britain, for instance, in 1859, 1863, 1872, 1876, and abundantly in 1888. For a concise account of these irregular invasions see Newton’s Dictionary of Birds.
[Note 22] p. 107.—Yurt.
According to Radloff “jurte” or “yurt” is a general name for a more or less transportable rough hut made of stakes, felt, bark, and the like, varying slightly in construction in different districts. The ring to which Brehm here refers is probably that through which the upper ends of the converging stakes are thrust.
[Note 23] p. 109.—The Jerboa.
The rodent here referred to is the Kirghiz jerboa (Alactaga decumana). What Brehm says as to its eating eggs and young birds is confirmed by others.
[Note 24] p. 115.—The Sand-grouse or Steppe-grouse.
Pallas’s Sand-grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus), see note 21.
[Note 25] p. 115—Ancestry of the horse.