6- 



«j 



alchata, which it almost replaces in La Mancha." And in a letter just received from Lord Lilford,, 

 he writes as follows: — " I have met with it in New Castile, near Aranjuez, in May 1865, in large 

 flocks, and in the Marisma of the Guadalquivir in small parties at the same season in 1864, 1869, 

 and 1872. I believe it to be a permanent resident in suitable localities throughout Spain, but 

 not so abundant in Andalucia as Pterocles alchata." Temminck speaks of it as inhabiting Sicily; 

 but this appears to have been a mistake, as none of the Italian naturalists has ever met with it. 

 It has twice been recorded from Greece. Von der Muhle (Orn. Griechenl. p. 84) obtained one 

 specimen which was shot between Megara and Thebes late in the autumn ; and Lindermayer 

 (Vog. Griechenl. p. 122) obtained another about the same time from Messogion, in the district 

 about Hymettus. 



Von Nordmann says that it is rare in New Russia, but more numerous in the eastern steppes 

 and in those of the Caucasus. I do not find it recorded from Asia Minor ; but Canon Tristram 

 met with it in Palestine, and says (P. Z. S. 1864, p. 449) that Mr. Cochrane obtained it to the 

 north-east of Hermon, and he also observed it in the same district. I do not find any record of 

 its occurrence in North-east Africa ; but it is found in the north-western portion of that continent. 

 Loche states that he met with it in the large plains of the Sahara throughout the year, and in 

 the plain of Chelif during the breeding-season. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., says that it is found in 

 the northern portion of the Sahara; and Mr. Osbert Salvin writes (Ibis, 1859, p. 353), it "is 

 found in the same localities as Pterocles alchata ; but it also occurs about Djendeli and the 

 Madracen, where I never met with that species." Mr. W. T. Chambers-Hodgetts met with it in 

 Tripoli, and writes (Ibis, 1867, p. 103) as follows: — "While wandering near the waterfall just 

 after sunset, I was delighted at hearing the unmistakable clucking of Sand-Grouse, and soon 

 perceived large quantities flying high overhead due south. An Arab informed me they con- 

 stantly came to drink at this spot early. Next morning at break of day I was on the look-out. 

 No Sand-Grouse, however, made their appearance ; and my Arab, ever ready with an excuse, 

 assured me that it was too cold ; but the next day on leaving Turhona, and travelling over a 

 sandy plain covered with rough grass, I fell in with them in great numbers, though they were 

 so wild that I could not once get within range. Their size and black breasts showed them to 

 be Pterocles arenaria; but the Arabs asserted that two other species are also found there." 

 According to F. Schousboe (J. f. O. 1857, p. 333) it is common during the winter on the plains 

 near Morocco, and found even to the foot of the Atlas, but it is rather rarer at Tangier. Lord 

 Lilford informs me that he met with large flocks of this species on the plains near Tunis in 

 November and December 1856. 



It occurs in the Canaries, where, according to Dr. C. Bolle (J. f. O. 1855, p. 173), "it is a 

 resident in the deserts of Fuerteventura, whence it occasionally straggles over to Gran Canada ;" 

 and he further writes (J. f. O. 1857, p. 332) that it is not uncommon in the south-eastern por- 

 tions of Canaria, at Juangrande and Sardinas ; but it is uncertain as to whether they breed there 

 or only come over from the Tierra del Moro. 



To the eastward it extends to the plains of India ; De Filippi records it from Persia, and 

 Messrs. Dickson and Ross say (P. Z. S. 1839, p. 121) that it is " very common near Erzeroom, and 

 is said to breed, towards the end of April, on the adjoining hills, amongst loose stones. Arrives in 

 the beginning of April ; they are then seen in those fields that are free from snow, close to the 



