CHAPTER XI. 



Sand-grouse. 



The Sand-grouse {Pteroclidie) have no relationship 

 to the true grouse, but form a separate family of 

 their own, very distinct from any other birds ; they 

 come nearer to the pigeons and plovers than to the 

 game-birds proper. They may be distinguished 

 from any of these by having feathered legs with 

 smooth-edged toes, the feather-legged true grouse 

 having, as has been said above, fringes of scales 

 along the sides of their toes. Two Sand-grouse 

 have the toes as well as the legs feathered, like 

 Ptarmigans, but they may be distinguished from 

 these by having only three toes, the hind-toe being 

 missing. The Sand-grouse, however, are so unlike 

 any other old-world birds that they are not easily 

 mistaken. They have a small bill and head like 

 those of the true game-birds, but long-pointed wings 

 like pigeons or some plovers ; their feet are small, 

 and the hind-toe when present is always very small, 

 and of no use. Their plumage is close, like that oi 

 pigeons, and shows a general sandy hue in most 

 cases; the sexes are always more or less different. 

 Sand-grouse frequent dry, generally open, country 

 in Europe, Africa and Asia ; they are often migra- 

 tory. Most of the few species are found in Indian 

 limits, where they are often called Rock-pigeons 

 by sportsmen. Their flight is high and fast ; 

 and their note usually a double or treble cluck. 



