242 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



In the localities it frequents and in its habits the present species 

 does not seem to differ appreciably from its congeners. Its food, 

 flight and movements generally also appear to be the same as those 

 of other Sand-Grouse. Its note or cry somewhat resembles that of 

 P. coronatus. 



It appears to be a late breeder, the clutch of three eggs here 

 described having been taken by Mr. Dodson in Tripoli on July 

 17th. These eggs are less glossy than those of P. arenarius, and of 

 a stone or buff colour, with very faint lilac-grey shell-marks and more 

 distinct yellowish-brown surface-blotches ; they measure 41 x 27 mm. 



According to Mr. Dodson, the male of this species, when nesting, 

 brings water to its mate, and both parents give their young drink 

 until they are able to fly. 



PTEROCLES CORONATUS, Lichtenstein. 

 CORONETTED SAND-GROUSE. 



Pterocles coronatus, Licht. Verz. Doiibl. p. 65 (1823) ; Ogilvie-Grant, 

 Gat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii, p. 23 ; Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 230 

 (1867); Koenicj, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 254; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 73; 

 Whitaker, Ibis, 1894, p. 97 ; Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1900, p. 31. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Oglet-Zelles, South Tunisia. 



Middle of the forehead, lores, region round the eye, and sides of the 

 chin creamy-white ; sides of the forehead and middle of the chin jet-black ; 

 throat, cheeks, and neck yellow ; centre of the crown dark isabelline, sur- 

 rounded almost entirely by a circle of pale blue-grey ; rest of upper plumage 

 sandy-isabelline, the scapulars and upper wing-coverts marbled with darker 

 and lighter shades of isabelline ; quills brownish-grey ; median rectrices, 

 which are only slightly elongated, dark isabelline, the remaining tail-feathers 

 with a narrow black subterminal band, and tipped with white ; underparts 

 below the throat uniform pale sandy-isabelline ; under tail-coverts white. 



Iris almost black ; bill and claws bluish-slate ; feet whitish. 



Total length 11-50 inches, wing 790, culmen -50, tarsus -90. 



Adult female, spring, from Oglet-Zell6s, South Tunisia. 



Upper plumage generally very pale sandy-isabelline, lightest on the 

 forehead and eye-region, streaked on the crown and nape, and barred else- 

 where with vermiculated blackish lines ; throat and neck yellow ; breast 

 barred with pale brown ; rest of the underparts as in the male. 



Soft parts and measurements as in the male. 



Observations. — Between examples of this species from Tunisia and those 



