m the Eastetn Atlas. 353 



P. alchata and P. arenarius : further to the southward others 

 are found. 



99. Pterocles arenarius. (Sand Grouse.) 



Is found in the same localities as the last-mentioned species, 

 but it also occurs about Djendeli and the Madracen, where I 

 never met with P. alchata. 



100. Caccabis petrosa. (Barbary Partridge.) 



The Barbary Partridge is very abundant in all the countiy 

 we visited, especially in the Regency of Tunis. It lays its eggs 

 about the beginning of April, from eleven to fifteen forming the 

 usual complement. It is known to the Arabs as " El Hadjel." 



101. TuRNix coTURNix. (Quail.) 



Vast numbers of Quails are said to occur along the eastern 

 coast of Tunis, and in the adjacent islands, during the period of 

 the spring migration in April. A few remain to breed, and 

 they may be met with in scattered pairs all over the country. 



102. Otis tetrax. (Little Bustard.) 



Throughout the extensive plains of Tunis the Little Bustard 

 seems generally and plentifully distributed. In the Eastern 

 Atlas its favourite resorts are the x\rab corn-fields and grassy 

 pastures ; and it appears to seek rather than avoid cultivation, 

 in this respect widely differing in taste from its congeners, O. 

 tarda and Houbara undulata. The eggs of this species are laid 

 about the middle of May, but some birds defer the period of 

 incubation till June, as we obtained eggs as late as the 37th of 

 the latter month. The nest was usually found in a corn field. 

 One shown me by an Arab near AVn Djendeli was so situated. 

 It consisted merely of a little dry grass placed in a slight 

 hollow in the ground. There were two eggs in this nest when 

 it was shown to me. While I was endeavouring to make the 

 Arab comprehend that if unmolested the bird would lay more, 

 he destroyed the nest with a stick in his hand, but fortunately 

 did not injure the eggs. Three or four seems to be the usual 

 complement of eggs laid by one bird. 



103. Houbara undulata. (Houbara Bustard.) 



We only meet with the Houbara in the Harakta country near 

 VOL. I. 2 c 



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