SAND-GROUSE 33 



The only species of sand-grouse found in Cape 

 Colony, south of the Orange River, is Ptcrodes 

 tachy;petes, known all over South Africa by the name 

 "Naraaqua partridge," long since erroneously be- 

 stowed upon it by the Dutch Boers. The " Namaqua 

 partridge " is first found on the Great Karroo; thence, 

 far and wide throughout the great plains, not only 

 of Cape Colony, but of the far interior, it is to be 

 seen at watering-places in the dry season in un- 

 countable numbers. After crossing the Orange River 

 the very beautiful double - banded sand - grouse 

 (Pterocles himichis) begins to be found. There is 

 little difference in the flight or cry of these two 

 species. They are frequently to be seen mingled 

 together at desert waters. The sharp incessant 

 cries of the bands as they come in and circle round 

 about the pools, the whirr and rustle of their wings 

 as they swoop suddenly down in a body to drink 

 and rise up again are things not likely to be for- 

 gotten. The " Namaqua partridge " drinks both at 

 morning and evening, but as a rule is to be seen in 

 stronger bands at morning than at evening. In my 

 experience the double-banded sand-grouse drinks 

 preferably at evening, though it may also be found 

 in places mingling with the morning drinkers. At 

 some few desert waters in the North Kalahari region 

 I have found only double-banded sand-grouse drink- 

 ing at sunset. These birds afford most excellent 



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