PTEROCLES CORONATUS 243 



from Tripoli there appears to be some difference in the coloration of the 

 plumage independent of that due to seasonal variation, the former being 

 paler and more uniform, while the latter are darker and more strongly 

 marked. The difference appears to be constant in a large series, and almost 

 sufiScient to necessitate subspecific distinction. 



As pointed out by me {Ibis, 1894, p. 97), this Sand-Grouse is not 

 at all uncommon in Southern Tunisia, and it also occurs in the 

 Algerian Sahara and in Tripoli. Further east the species is to be 

 found in Eg3'pt, Arabia, Syria, Persia and India. 



Its range in Tunisia appears to be confined to districts south of 

 the Atlas, where, however, it is in some parts abundant, though 

 perhaps somewhat locally distributed. I found the species most 

 plentiful on the western plains near Oglet-Zelles and Oglet-Alima, 

 and may here repeat what I wrote regarding the bird in the Ibis, 

 as above : — 



" During my journey I met with it only at one place, viz., at 

 Oglet-Alima, between Gafsa and Tamerza, where it was plentiful, 

 coming in flocks of from ten to fifty birds to drink at the water- 

 holes made by the Arabs in the dry river-beds. I saw it first on 

 March 12th, when the flight commenced about 7 a.m. and lasted till 

 nearly 10 o'clock, after which hour the birds disappeared. During 

 the remainder of the day I only met with an occasional straggler on 

 the plains near Oglet-Alima, and think the bulk of the birds must 

 have gone further south, towards the desert, nor did they return to 

 drink here in the evening. The following morning, however, they 

 were at the water-holes again in full force. They are very strong on 

 the wing, and fly at a considerable height, uttering a loud clucking 

 note all the time, something like that of the Common Fowl. So loud 

 is the note, and so high do the birds fly, that they can often be dis- 

 tinctly heard when scarcely visible to the naked eye. Though very 

 shy and difficult to approach, they do not leave the neighbourhood 

 when disturbed, but return to the water-holes, or their immediate 

 vicinity, till the hour arrives for their departure. As in P. arenarius, 

 their feathers lie very closely together, necessitating heavy shot to 

 brmg them down. I secured fourteen specimens in all, between 

 males and females. The flesh of this Sand-Grouse is excellent eating, 

 and not at all dry or tasteless, the breast having dark and light 

 meat the same as Black-game. I was unable to ascertain whether 

 this species breeds in the district in which I found it, but think 

 it not unlikely." 



