SANDGROUSE 205 



distinguishable from the single member of the genus Ptero- 

 clurus by the tail feathers being rounded, whereas the 

 latter bird has the two centre feathers pointed and projecting 

 beyond the other. They lay two or three eggs on the bare 

 ground, where the protective coloration of the eggs renders 

 them difficult of detection. 



The Variegated Sandgrouse (Pterocles variegatus), called 

 the Geele Patrijs (Yellow Partridge) by the Afrikanders, can 

 easily be recognised by the small rounded spots of white 

 which adorn the back and breast. Length, 9J inches. 



It is not found South of the Orange Eiver nor West of 

 the Western Transvaal. 



The Yellow-throated Sandgrouse (P. gutturalis) or Nacht 

 Patrijs (Night Partridge) is without the white spotting 

 characteristic of the first species, but has the under tail- 

 coverts of a plain dark chestnut which renders it easily 

 recognisable from the following species which has the under 

 tail coverts thickly barred with black. Length, 11 inches. 



This bird ranges from Little Namaqualand to the Central 

 Transvaal. 



The Double-banded Sandgrouse (P. bicinctus) has the 

 forehead and a band across the fore part of the head white, 

 divided by a black stripe ; and has the additional charac- 

 teristic above mentioned of the barred tail coverts. Length, 

 9 inches. It was very common in the Pretoria Bush veld 

 during November and December of 1913, and we have shot 

 it every winter in the same locality. 



The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pteroclurus namaqua) needs no 

 further description than the attenuated centre tail feathers. 

 Length, 11 J inches. The Boers call it the Namaqua Patrijs 

 (English, "Namaqua Partridge"). It is commoner and 

 more generally distributed in South Africa than any of the 



