8 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL MIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXIII. 



He says " In many of its habits the Pin-tailed Sand-Gronse resem- 

 bles the preceding species (P. arenarius) though differing in others. 

 It is, as a rule, found in much larger flocks than P. arenarivs 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 j&t be appeased, it will often make 

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

 spot. 



" Such of the OuedjS as majr 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 the hour or two the flight lasted. 



" P. arenarius and P. alchata were well represented on this occasion 

 and about equally numerous, as shewn 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 abiindant, presents a 

 most animated scene, the air being full of small flocks hurrying to 

 and from and the sandy banks, and the sand}^ parts of the river bed 

 being in some places thickly covered with them, while the chorus 

 formed of many luindreds of clamourous bird voices creates cjuite 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 

 guettarr.'" 



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

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

 Fteroclurus alchata in confinement and described how the male, after 

 the young were hatched, would " rub the breast violently tip and 

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

 when all aAvry 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, remem- 

 beiing his family was close by, would run up to the hen, make a 

 demonstration, when the J^oung would run out, get under him and 

 Buck the water from his breast." 



