Mr. J. J. S. Wliitaker on some Tunisian Birds, 97 



50. Pterocles arenarius. 



I first met with this Sand-Grouse on the 9th March, on 

 the arid plains to the west of Gafsa, and subsequently in 

 many other places, notably near Oglet-Alima, Mides, Negrine, 

 and Feriana. They seemed to be most abundant on the vast 

 plains between Mides and Negrine, where they were often in 

 large flocks of over one hundred birds. As a rule, however, I 

 found them in smaller flocks of from ten to twenty birds, and 

 near Feriana in threes and fours only. They seem to have 

 a liking for stony spots, and when crouching close to the 

 ground it is diflicult to distinguish them from stones. I found 

 males and females equally abundant, and secured specimens 

 of both. They are, however, very shy birds and diflicult to 

 approach, and when disturbed fly a considerable distance, 

 often out of sight, before settling down again. They are 

 very strong on the wing, with their feathers lying close 

 together, and heavy shot is required to bring them down. 

 The rattling noise they make on taking flight is very peculiar, 

 and unlike that of any other bird. While on the wing they 

 utter a loud note, which can be heard at a considerable dis- 

 tance. I am told this species is common in spring and 

 summer in the north of the Regency, and that it breeds in 

 the neighbourhood of Tunis. 



51. Pteroci.es coroxatus. 



The finding of this species so far west is no doubt an 

 interesting fact, as even in Egypt it is rare, and its habitat 

 proper has always been looked upon as being considerably 

 further east, viz., in Asia. Loche includes it in his list of 

 Algerian birds {' Cat. des Maramiferes et des Oiseaux observes 

 en Algerie^), and a German gentleman living near Tunis, 

 Herr Spatz, is said to have found it in the south of the 

 Regency, but I do not know of its having been met with by 

 anyone else so far west *. 



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

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



* [It is also included by Canon Tristram in his list of the birds of tho 

 Sahara—' The Great Sahara,' p. 400.— Ed.] 



SER. VI. VOL. VI. H 



