NAMAQUA PTEROCLES. 
315 
feathers are marked on their outer webs and part 
of their inner ones with stripes of yellow and 
brown : the rest of the tail resembles that of the 
male, except that the two middle feathers are not 
quite so long. 
This species inhabits the middle region of Africa, 
and in the daytime frequents the arid deserts. It 
flies with rapidity, and a great distance at a time. 
It feeds on the seeds of plants, corn, and also on 
insects : drinks much, and arrives in troops at the 
fountains, which are very scarce : its eggs are 
deposited in a nest composed of herbs and briars ; 
they are four or flve in number, olive-green spotted 
with black, resembling those of the Plover. 
