THE SHORT-TAILED SAND-GROUSE. 23 



Range — Only found in the Peninsula of India. 



Habits. — The habits of this beautiful little Sand-Grouse re- 

 semble those of P. lichtensteini, and are very different from 

 those of most of the species already mentioned, and, though 

 widely distributed throughout India, Mr. Hume says that it is very 

 local, being chiefly found in the neighbourhood of low rocky 

 bush-clad, or thinly wooded, hills, and in forest-tracts where 

 the ground is stony and broken up by ravines. They seldom 

 stray far from their natural haunts, unless during the dry 

 season, when compelled to do so in search of water. Compared 

 with other Sand-Grouse, they run extremely well, and never 

 associate in huge floclts, seven to ten being the largest num- 

 bers flushed at one time. When flushed they seldom fly far, 

 and run for a considerable distance after they have alighted. 

 Excellent sport may be had in localities where they are abund- 

 ant, for they lie well and are seldom, if ever, wild. Writing 

 from the Central Provinces, Mr. Thompson observes : " I can 

 quite corroborate Dr. Jerdon's observations as to the crepus- 

 cular habits of this species. It is quite nocturnal and feeds 

 and goes to water even in the darkest night. I have seen birds 

 arrive at the edge of a plain at dusk, and remain feeding and 

 going to water during the dark hours before the moon got up. 

 I have frequently, too, noted parties of six or seven flitting 

 about noiselessly over an opening in the forest long after sunset. 



"During the early part of the rains these birds entirely leave 

 the forests and jungles, and then, all through the rains, live 

 in the open country, exactly as P. exustus does, but they are 

 never noisy like the latter. 



" Large numbers of Painted Grouse are taken during the 

 rainy season by bird-catchers, who, approaching under cover of 

 a screen made of green leaves and twigs, drop a circular net, 

 suspended to a loop and held out horizontally at the end of 

 a long bamboo, over the birds, which, as a rule, never seem to 

 suspect that there is danger at hand." 



