276 Mr. H. F. Witherby — Ornithological 



came from the desert and after their drink settled down upon 

 the grassy flat. We saw no signs of Sand-Grouse nesting 

 during our stay, but on May 13th, about three miles from 

 the river, I saw a pair of this species accompanied by a 

 bird which, though I may have been mistaken, I took for a 

 young one. It was only about half the size of the others, 

 but flew not less strongly and seemed fully feathered. Un- 

 fortunately I was unable to get near enough to shoot it. 



123. Pteroclurus senegallus (Linn.). 



This species, easily distinguished, even at a considerable 

 distance, by its larger size, was rare in comparison with 

 P. exustus, but it was well distributed in small numbers from 

 Kawa to Khartum. 



124. "^NUMIDA PTILORHYNCHA Licllt. 



Guinea-fowl, presumably of this species, were common 

 about Kawa. Unfortunately I was ill at this camp, and my 

 collectors did not obtain a specimen. 



125. EupoDOTis ARABS (Linu.). 



Only one Bustard was observed, near Duem on March 21st. 

 This bird was squatting on its " haunches '* at the river's 

 edge to drink, and I shot it with a rifle at a distance of about 

 100 yards as it ran away. It made no attempt to fly, 

 although I missed it the first time. Its wings were in 

 perfect plumage. 



126. Balearica pavonina (Linn.). 



Crowned Cranes were by no means common, but a few 

 were seen here and there feeding on the land near the river. 

 They were very tame, and often allowed us to approach to 

 within 20 yards of them. At one of our camps, not far 

 from Khartum, a single bird used to come regularly every 

 evening at sunset to roost on the top of a small acacia, 

 which it would leave just as regularly as soon as it got light 

 in the morning. 



Adult. Iris white ; bill, legs, and feet black ; bare patches 

 on the sides of the head very pale bluish white ; pouch reddish. 



