PTEROCLES ORIENTALIS 245 



It breeds in Afghanistan, probably (vide Delme-Kadcliffe and 

 others) also in Baluchistan, and in Seistan and Persia, the Caucasus, 

 Asia Minor and more or less throughout South Kussia and the 

 countries bordering on the Mediterranean, but commonly only in Spain 

 and North-west Africa, and also in Algeria and Morocco, from which 

 last place I have received eggs. 



The breeding-season commences in April, when the birds begin 

 to pair, and the eggs are laid in May and June. Those in the col- 

 lection of the British Museum show that in Spain and Northern 

 Africa the breeding-season is later than it is in Asia Minor and the 

 rest of the bird's eastern range. All the eggs from the former countries 

 are dated between the 27th May and 15th June, whereas those from 

 the eastern countries were taken between the 9th and 15th May. 

 The eggs in my own collection confirm this, as all my Spanish and 

 Algerian eggs are dated between the 30th May and '22nd June, 

 whilst those from the Altai are dated 3rd to 17th May. 



The eggs appear to be laid on the ground in a slight hollow 

 scratched out by the parent bird in the sand, and as a rule there 

 is absolutely no attempt made at concealment, the place selected 

 being one quite in the open, though, on some occasions, slight pro- 

 tection from sun and observation may be afforded by a stone, small 

 rock, or tuft of grass. 



The full number of eggs laid is three, but two eggs are sometimes 

 incubated. They are typical Sand-Grouse eggs in every respect, 

 being of the usual elliptical form and decidedly glossy, especially 

 when first laid, as they lose the gloss to some extent after they have 

 been kept a few years. The texture is smooth and close, but not 

 very fine, and the eggs are rather brittle and fragile for their size. 



The ground-colour varies from greyish stone-colour, pale dull- 

 cream, pale yellowish-grey, pale buff or greenish-grey to a rather 

 warm buff stone-colour, or stone-colour with a distinct green tint. 

 Most eggs are, however, very pale, and their pale dull colouration 

 generally is a distinct feature of this Sand-Grouse's eggs. The 

 superior markings consist of indefinite smudges, blotches and spots 

 of reddish-brown, dull grey-brown or dull rufous-brown, the edges 

 often paler and merging into the secondary markings, which are pale 

 lavender-grey or purplish-grey. The markings, both surface and 



