70 Rev. H. B. Tristram on the 



within shot. The flocks of this species are generally smaller 

 than those of its congener, though all the class appear to be 

 more or less gregarious even in the breeding season, several 

 pairs generally nesting close to each other. The P. arenarius 

 is not so wary as P. alchata, perhaps from its upper plumage 

 assimilating more closely to the sand in colour; but when 

 alarmed it crouches to the ground, carefully concealing its dark 

 breast, and does not take wing until approached very closely. 

 Then it suddenly rises to a considerable height, and flies often 

 to a great distance. These birds chiefly feed towards sunset, 

 when their call-note, resembling that of a partridge, may be 

 heard incessantly until after dark. As if to show that in some 

 respects they are a link between Gallince and Cohimbidce, they 

 never lay more than three eggs, this being the invariable num- 

 ber of the genus. These are of a character most unlike those 

 of any other gallinaceous bird with which I am acquainted, being 

 extremely elongated, compressed in the centre, and exactly the 

 same size at each end — in fact, perfectly elliptical. This charac- 

 ter is common to the eggs of five species of Pterocles which I 

 possess. The eggs are placed two in a line, and the third length- 

 ways outside them, in a depression in the sand, without any 

 nest. The bird in sitting, as I have observed, lies on one side, 

 spreading out one wing to cover the eggs, thus presenting a 

 grotesque lopsided appearance; but it is a posture for which 

 the deep keel of her sternum admirably adapts her. 



The flesh of the Sand-grouse is extremely white, but very 

 poor and dry, without any flavour. We never discovered any 

 mode of cooking by which it could be rendered tasty, or even 

 palatable. I have seen both the common species thrive well in 

 captivity, and almost domesticated in the court-yards of Arabs' 

 houses. 



103. Pterocles alchata. (Pintailed Sand-grouse.) "El 

 Gueteha," Arab. 



Though this bird does not approach so near the verge of 

 cultivation northwards as the former, it is far more generally 

 abundant, and continues to occur in vast flocks in winter in the 

 M'zab and T(juarick country, where I ne\er saw P. arenarius. 



