PTEROCLES VARIEGATUS. 579 
says that it is not uncommon on the flats to the north of Kuruman, 
does not go in flocks, but is usually met with singly or in pairs in 
the open grassy plains, and is very wary and shy in its habits. 
“Tts note is less shrill and piping,” he continues, “than that of 
P, namaqua. They come down to water with a dash, and are off 
again in a moment, differing much from the other two, who lie 
about on the sand or move with quick hurried notions.” 
Mr. Ayres observes:—“‘ I found these birds tolerably plentiful 
in June and July along the Limpopo and Mariqua; but though they 
were often in pairs I did not succeed in finding their eggs. These 
and the other Sand-grouse of this district are dry and very tough if 
cooked fresh, but if kept for nearly a week become tender and 
well-flavoured.”” During Mr. Jameson’s expedition the species was 
obtained at Limonie Pan in the Bamangwato country in June, and 
Mr. Ayres gives the following note on their occurrence :—“ At 
about eleven o’clock hundreds of these birds came to the Limonie 
Pan in small flocks, from about half-a-dozen to thirty ; they did not 
remain more than a few minutes but hastened back to their feeding 
ground, and by mid-day all had quenched their thirst and not one 
remained at the Pan. Along the Crocodile River we also found 
these birds mostly in pairs, which showed that their breeding season 
had then commenced. The crops of those we shot were crammed 
with seeds.” 
Mr. Andersson writes as follows :—“ This species is not uncommon 
in the northern and middle parts of Damara Land, as well as in the 
Lake-regions; but I do not recollect having met with it further to 
the south. It feeds on seeds, berries, and roots, and frequents its 
drinking-places early in the morning. Its flesh is tough, like that 
of its congeners. The mode of drinking adopted by this and by 
other South African Sand-grouse resembles, as has been already 
mentioned, that which I have described in the case of the wild 
Guinea-fowl.” 
The egg of this species is a pale dull green, spotted with light 
brown and indistnict purple, and upon this more sparsely spotted 
with dark brown. Axis, 1" 5’”; diam., 1" 2’, 
Male.—General colour above, greenish-yellow, spotted with white ; 
top of head dark brown, mottled with ochreous-yellow ; eyebrows, 
chin, and sides of head, silver-grey; bare space round eye, light- 
2P2 
