PTEROCLES ALCHATA 239 



This handsome bird, quite the most beautiful of all the Sand- 

 Grouse, is abundant in Tunisia, and, contrary to what might be 

 expected, appears there in its typical form, and not in the slightly 

 different form of P. a. pyrenaicus, found in Spain. 



Examples in my collection from Marocco are identical with those 

 from Tunisia, and so are probably also specimens from Algeria, in 

 the southern districts of which the species is common. According 

 to Von Heuglin this Sand-Grouse occars in Tripoli and Cyrenaica, 

 but apparently it is not to be found in Egypt. It is to be found in 

 Asia Minor, Southern Russia and the Caucasus, and ranges eastward 

 as far as India. In South Spain the species is represented by the 

 form P. a. pyrenaicus, while, as a straggler, it appears to have been 

 met with occasionally in Italy, Malta and Greece. 



In the Tunisian Regency this Sand-Grouse is not often seen north 

 of the Atlas, but south of those mountains it is sometimes remarkably 

 abundant, and to be observed in immense flocks, far outnumbering 

 those of other species of Sand-Grouse. The species seems to be 

 migratory to a certain extent, and more so perhaps than other 

 members of the family. I have found it plentiful in some years in 

 localities where in other years it was entirely wanting. 



In many of its habits the Pin-tailed Sand-Grouse resembles the 

 preceding species, though differing in others. It is, as a rule, found 

 in much larger flocks than P. arenarins, and is said never to approach 

 the sea-coast. Like that bird, however, it is very shy and wild and, 

 when disturbed, generally flies for a great distance before settling 

 down again, although should it be the hour for drinking, and its thirst 

 not be yet appeased, it will often make one or two attempts to 

 return to the water before finally leaving the spot. 



Such of the Oueds as may still have water in them in spring, or 

 even the holes scooped out of the river-beds by the Arabs for the 

 purpose of providing themselves and their flocks with water, are sure 

 to be visited by Sand-Grouse for drinking, and it was once my good 

 fortune to see no less than three different species of these birds 

 frequenting one of these spots at the same time, and to witness flock 

 after flock of each come down to the water during the hour or two 

 the flight lasted. P. arenarius and P. alchata were well represented 

 on this occasion and about equally numerous, as shown by specimens 

 obtained of both ; but a third species was also present, of which I 

 failed to secure an example, but which, judgmg from its appearance on 

 the wing appeared to be P. coronatus. 



