306 GAME-BIKDS OF INDIA 



The Pintailed Sand-Grouse do not seem to care for grass at all 

 but love to squat in the sand, basking in the sun whenever possible. 

 The greatest danger with these birds seems to be their sudden panics, 

 which make them dash violently against the sides of the enclosures 

 unless the feathers of one wing are heavily cut. My birds arrived 

 late at night (as birds always seem to do) and when I went to look at 

 them the following morning the whole lot were dashing with wild 

 flights and shrieks of terror in all directions. It was only prompt 

 and resolute action with a landing net and subsequently with a pair 

 of scissors that put a stop to their apparently determined efforts at 

 suicide. 



" The Pintailed Sand-Grouse soon become comparatively tame 

 and run about on the sand with contented little ' crooning ' cries. 

 I have noticed that they are much steadier when divided as, when a 

 lot are together, the alarm note of one at once sets off the others 

 attempting to fly. So far I have seen no signs of nesting, though I 

 have divided them into several different enclosures in hopes they 

 will do so." 



