PTEROCLURUS ALCHATUS CAUDACUTUS '287 



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

 the preceding species (P. arenaiius), though differing in others. It 

 is, as a rule, found in much larger flocks than P. arenarius and is 

 said never to approach the sea-coast. Like that bird, however, it is 

 very wild and shy and when disturbed, generally flies for a great 

 distance before settling down again, although should it be its hour 

 for drinking, and its thirst not yet be appeased, it will often make 

 one or two attempts to return to the water before finally leaving 

 the spot. 



Such of the Oiicds as may still have some 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 alternative 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 tlie 

 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, judging from its appearance 

 on the wing, appeared to be P. coronatus. 



" The morning flight of Sand-Grouse for the purpose of drinking 

 commences soon after sunrise, and is generally continued for an hour 

 or two, or until the sun is well up when it entirely ceases. During 

 the time the flight lasts the spot visited by the birds, particularly 

 should it be one where water is abundant, presents a most animated 

 scene, the air being full of small flocks hurrying to and from the 

 sandy banks, the sandy parts of the river bed being in some places 

 thickly covered with them, while the chorus formed of many 

 hundreds of clamorous bird voices creates quite a babel of sound. 



" The food of this species consists chiefly of the seeds and tender 

 parts of various desert plants. Its note is a ringing catarr or 

 or quettarr." 



In the ' Zoologist ' of 1896, p. 299, and the ' Field ' of August, 

 1896, Mr. Meade-Waldo first gave an account of the breeding of 

 Pteroclurus alchata in confinement and described how the male, 

 after the young were hatched, would " rub the breast violently up 

 and down on the ground," a motion quite distinct from dusting, and 

 when all awry would get into his drinking-water and saturate the 

 feathers of his under parts. When soaked he would go through the 

 motions of flying away, nodding his head, etc. Then, remembering 



