284 Lieut. R. M. Sperling un the 



72. Sand-Gkouse. {Pterocles alchata.) 



On the Plain of Baalbec I sometimes flushed Sand-Grouse, 

 and I believe the above to be the species. They skulked till 

 they were nearly trodden on, and then rose with a cry not un- 

 like that of the Common Partridge, generally resettling about 

 thirty or forty yards off; but, on being flushed a second time, 

 would fly right away over the plain. I believe that, in winter, 

 capital shooting might be had with these birds. 



73. Francoltn. {Perdix francolinus.) 



This bird I have seen in Syria in the autumn, at which time 

 they were generally solitary or in pairs, and always in the 

 stunted myrtle-bushes which grow round the banks of the rivers, 

 or the humid patches of marsh which dot the plains. They 

 were not shy, but would run along in front of me at about 

 twenty yards' distance, sometimes for two or three minutes be- 

 fore they would rise. When they did at last make up their 

 minds to fly, it was with a strong drumming flight (not unlike 

 a Pheasant's) to the nearest bushes. 



As I have already stated in the columns of ' The Field,' it is 

 my impression that this bird is now extinct in Europe. I have 

 shot in the most favourable localities for them on the southern 

 part of that continent, as well as made every inquiry, but with- 

 out hearing of any one who has seen the bird in life. An old 

 sporting friend of mine, who lived a long time in Sicily, assures 

 me that they were pretty plentiful there in his youth, but that 

 now there are none in the island. 



Dr. Bree says, that "if extinct in Europe, it will be very remark- 

 able;" and also i-emarks, that " the more publicity given to the 

 question, the sooner will it be decided." There is no doubt that 

 the question has had plenty of publicity : it is now four months 

 since it was flrst mooted — time enough for ' The Field ' to per- 

 meate all civilized parts of the earth, and for answers to flow 

 back through even slow channels; but, of all the correspondents 

 who have so kindly ventilated the question, not one has seen it in 

 Europe, and all have branched off into dissertations on its num- 

 bers in India or into other particulars, which, although valu- 

 able information, are not exactly to the point. Mr. H. Sandwith, 

 in his numerous letters on sport near Smyrna, throws a light 



