54 Mr. D. A. Banuerman on an Ornithological 



Pipits were common here^ and as we turned inland and 

 passed over the plain, Trumpeter Bullfinches and Short-toed 

 Larks became extraordinarily abundant. Coursers were 

 very scarce, but Sand-Grouse, on the contrary, were plentiful. 

 Parts of the plain appeared like a sheet of purple caused 

 by the Suada fruticosa Forsk. being in full bloom, aud with 

 the dark undulating hills in the distance a fine scenic effect 

 was produced. The only other species met with were Hoopoes, 

 Shrikes, and Spanish Sparrows^ which latter rose in clouds 

 from a field of grain. 



The following morning I went out very early to try to 

 shoot some Sand-Grouse — an old farmer showed me the best 

 place to lie up for them — and built a circular butt of big 

 stones round me, leaving three loop-holes through which 

 the muzzle of the gun could be pushed. This butt was 

 placed close to where the birds were wont to drink at a 

 running ayequia. Two and a half hours were spent in this 

 butt with a certain amount of success. The " gangas,'^ as 

 the natives call them, are very shy birds through being con- 

 tinually shot at, and notice the slightest movement, hence 

 it is necessary to keep perfectly motionless in the butt. 

 They begin flying at about 7 A.m., but most of them are late 

 drinkers, and I found they came chiefiy between 9 and 

 9.30, although many were as late as 9.45 a.m. The Black- 

 breasted Sand-Grouse come flying very fast, uttering their 

 pretty liquid call which sounds like bubbling water — they 

 circle round once or twice and then settle about forty yards 

 from the aqequia, looking round carefully to see if they are 

 observed. When satisfied that no danger threatens them 

 they approach the water's edge in a series of short runs, 

 the head close to the ground and ever on the loidc-out. 

 When the water is reached they drink greedily, and it is 

 now that the native sportsman chooses to fire, when three 

 or four are often bagged at a single shot. Sometimes as 

 many as eight or ten together in a flock will arrive, but often 

 a pair only would come to drink. 



The remainder of the day (May the 18th) was spent in com- 

 pleting my map and diary and in preparing for the journey 



