observed in the Ionian Islands, ^c. 239 



156. Pin-tailed Sa\d-Grouse. {Pterodes alchata.) 

 Three of this species flew across our bows towards the east, as 



I was going from Corfu to Malta, on board H.M.S. Coquette, 

 on the 1st August, 1858. We had just sighted Sicily when 

 they passed us. I have never seen or heard of the occurrence of 

 Sand-grouse in any part of Greece or European Turkey. 



157. Great Bustard. {Otis tarda.) 



A Great Bustard flew over my head one day in February 1858, 

 as I was chasing Grebes in the Bay of Butrinto. This is the only 

 occasion on which I saw this species in these parts ; but I was 

 shown some of the feathers of one which had been killed in 

 Acarnania in March 1857; and in the following winter several 

 were killed near Cape Papas, in the Morea, where they are not 

 uncommon. Great numbers were brought into Athens in Janu- 

 ary 1858. The Great Bustard breeds in the Morea, in the 

 vicinity of Tripolitza. 



158. Little Bustard. [Otis tetrax.) 



I saw a Little Bustard in the island of Corfu in December 

 1856, and two more near Livitazza in Epirus in March 1858. 

 It is far from common in these parts. I only saw one freshly 

 killed specimen during my stay amongst Greek seas, which was 

 "shot at Livitazza in January 1857, by an officer of the garrison 

 of Corfu. The bird-stuffer had never before seen a specimen. 



159. Common Pratincole. {Glareola pratincola.) 

 Arrives in Corfu and Epirus in considerable numbers in April, 



and remains a few weeks in the country. I have found that, 

 though these birds are not easy to approach by walking straight 

 at them, they will squat, if one makes a circuit round them, 

 gradually lessening the distance, and will allow themselves to be 

 nearly trodden upon before taking wing. Large numbers fre- 

 quent the race-course at Corfu in April. The Corfiote name for 

 this species is " Pernice di mare." The food of the Pratincole 

 appears to consist almost exclusively of various species of beetles. 



