184 



THE BANDED SAND-GROUSE. 



Pterocles arenarius. TEMMINCK. 

 PLATE XXIV. FEMALE. PLATE XXV. MALE. 



Tetrao arenarius, Pallas. Ganga unibande, Pterocles are- 

 narius, Temminck, Pig. et Gallinaces, and PI. Coloriees, 

 pis. 52 and 53. 



IN this beautiful sand-grouse, we see, if such an 

 expression may be used, a more perfect form. The 

 form of the bird is strong but light, the wings long 

 and ample. The tarsi feathered only in front, and 

 the feet evidently adapted for running. We have, 

 however, the same prevailing colour of grey and yel- 

 lowish-brown, of the peculiar opaque lustre which 

 prevails among them. The belly of the male is deep 

 brownish-black, the throat is marked with a spot ot 

 the same colour, and below the breast there is ano- 

 ther similarly coloured band, from which Temminck 

 has derived his trivial name. The female is of the 

 same general tint. The dark parts of the under 

 plumage are paler, and the patch on the throat is 

 wanting, but apparently replaced by another of 

 grey, while the head, breast, and upper parts are 

 covered with brownish-black bars and crossings, 

 somewhat akin to those which distinguish the fe- 

 males of the true grouse. The tail in this species 



