96 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 
large companies, in which order they fly great dis- 
tances to and fro to whatever pools or water they 
customarily visit each evening, and it is at these 
places that the most deadly shooting can take 
place, for they are very regular in their “ flighting.” 
Captain Tindall Lucas tells me that the Coroneted 
Sand-grouse drinks later in the evening and earlier 
in the morning than the other forms and practically 
when all light has gone; the more usual time being 
just before the sun sets. The freedom with which 
they fly is extraordinary, it is more with the power 
of the Swallow than any game-bird; they mount 
very high up into the air, and go wheeling round 
and round, now mounting nearly out of sight, then 
rushing headlong down in a long swooping curve 
till near the earth, when, perhaps, they will turn 
off sharp at some angle and go tearing away in 
some opposite direction. This is when they are in 
flocks, and out on the wide open desert; when 
coming down to water, or near cultivation, or 
among the coarse Halfa grass, they fly with direct 
intent, and waste no time about it. 
Their cry must be heard to be appreciated ; it 
is usually written as “gutta, gutta, gutta,” but no 
description of birds’ notes ever seems to be of much 
value ; it is, however, so very individual that once 
