220 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



Breeding habits : Of the habits of Macqueen's 

 Bustard during the nesting season absolutely nothing 

 appears to be known. It is a migratory bird, and 

 arrives at its winter quarters in the Indian region in 

 September, leaving them again for its northern breeding 

 grounds in March or April. It is said to be mono- 

 gamous, and pairs annually. Its breeding haunts are 

 vast plains, apparently such as are dry, arid, or sandy 

 being preferred. The nest of this bird has never been 

 described. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement r 

 The number of eggs laid by Macqueen's Bustard is 

 unknown. Eggs of this bird obtained by Herr Tancre's 

 collectors on the Altai Mountains are buffish or olive- 

 brown in ground colour, blotched and spotted with rich 

 dark brown and pale brown, and with underlying 

 markings of dull gray. Average measurement, 2'55 inches 

 in length, by 175 inch in breadth. It is impossible to 

 say whether the two eggs purchased from an Arab at 

 Aden in March by Lieut. Barnes belong to this species. 

 These eggs were highly incubated at that date. The 

 duration of the period of incubation is unknown, as is 

 also which sex performs the duty. 



Diagnostic characters : The eggs of Macqueen's 

 Bustard resemble very closely those of the Houbara 

 Bustard, but are a trifle larger and darker in ground 

 colour. Unless thoroughly well authenticated and with 

 a reliable locality, the eggs of the present bird are of 

 no scientific value, as the breeding areas of these two 

 Bustards approach very near in Palestine. It will be 

 remarked that the eggs of both these Bustards are more 

 Plover-like in colour than those of the two preceding 

 species, owing probably to the birds breeding on dry 

 arid plains, instead of on grain or grass-covered steppes. 



