236 BIRDS OP TUNISIA 



migrator}', for in certain districts it is to be met with in some seasons 

 and not in others. Near the town of Tunis, for instance, according 

 to Blanc, the species is to be found, as a rule, in spring and summer, 

 but not in winter. Lord Lilford, however, appears to have met with 

 it on the plains near Tunis in November and December (Birds of 

 Eur. vii., p. G3). 



During the spring months I have found P. arenarius most plen- 

 tiful on all the semi-desert plains lying to the west of Gafsa, particu- 

 larly those near Oglet-Alima, Oglet-Zelles, and Mides. In some of 

 these districts the species positively swarmed, flock after flock being 

 met with. These were generally composed of from ten to twenty 

 birds, but occasionally larger flocks were encountered, though, on 

 the other hand, small parties of only three or four individuals were 

 not uncommon. 



Further north, in Central Tunisia, I have found this species 

 numerous at Ain-Ehorab, near Kairouan, and in the neighbourhood 

 of El Ksob and Madjen-bel-abbes, while I have either specimens from, 

 or notes of the bird's occurrence at Tatahouine and other places in 

 the south. 



In Algeria this Sand-Grouse is abundant in districts corresponding 

 to those where it is found in Tunisia, and I met with it in large 

 numbers near Negrine, not far from the Tunisian frontier. 



Erom Marocco I have examples of the species, obtained from 

 districts in the centre and south of the Empire, while it appears to 

 have been met with in Tripoli by Mr. W. T. H. Chambers {Ihis, 1867, 

 p. 103). It is also recorded from the Canaries. 



North of the Mediterranean P. arenarius occurs in some parts 

 of Spain and Portugal, and appears to be resident in suitable localities 

 in those countries. It is said to have occurred as a straggler near 

 Nice, and has twice been recorded from Greece. Canon Tristram 

 met with it in Palestine, and it appears to be found in the Caucasus 

 districts, and eastwards as far as India. 



The present species is eminently a denizen of the plains, and more 

 particularly the undulating semi-desert plains, where sandy hillocks, 

 strewn with stones and dotted with patches of Haifa-grass, are a 

 characteristic feature of the country. The tops of these hillocks or 

 mounds are favourite resorts of the birds during the middle of the 

 day for resting, or basking in the sun, and possibly also for roosting 

 at night. In these spots the birds remain quietly the greater part 



