Ornithology of Northern Africa. 71 



Its plumage is far more richly marked, and I think that on 

 close inspection there is scarcely a bird in nature which sur- 

 passes the male P. alchata in I'ichness of colouring or delicacy 

 of pencilling. Alas, that §uch handsome plumage should clothe 

 such very dry bones ! Except during the breeding-season, it is 

 very difficult of approach ; and when packed in winter, it is vain 

 to attempt a second shot, unless well mounted. Its flight is 

 stronger and more vigorous than its congener's ; and its sharp- 

 pointed long wings give it all the power of a plover. It is very 

 garrulous when on the ground, and often betrays itself by its 

 call-note long before it can be distinguished by the eye from the 

 surrounding sand. 



Its breeding habits are exactly like those of P. arenarius; but 

 its egg is of a much richer fawn-coloured tint, covered and 

 sometimes zoned with large maroon-red blotches, while that of 

 the other is of a paler hue, with obsolete pale brown blotches. 



104. Pterocles coroxatus. (Spotted Sand-grouse). 

 Confined to the more southern portions of the Sahara, where 



it supplants the first species. It is a much smaller bird. I 

 found it only in very small companies of four or five; but this 

 may be owing to the extreme scarcity of plants in the district 

 where it roams. The egg is of an ashy white, with a few 

 almost obliterated pale-brown markings. 



105. Pterocles senegalus. (Senegal Sand-grouse). 



Also confined to the extreme south, but more plentiful than 

 the last-named species. I have seen and shot it in company 

 with Pterocles alchata. I obtained only one nest. The egg has 

 a ground-colour similar to that of P. alchata ; but it is scarcely 

 more than half the size, ajid has very faint brown spots. The 

 Arabs do not seem to distinguish between the two last-named 

 species. 



In all the family the contrast between the plumage of the 

 sexes is vei*y striking, — in none more so than in this species. 



There is a fifth species of Pterocles, whicli I have seen near 

 ^Varegla and in the Chainbu country, but which I was unable to 

 procure. 



