71 



Its eggs are in shape similar to those of Pteroeles arenarius, but are much richer-coloured 

 and more boldly marked. I possess eggs from Algeria and Arganda, in Spain, which in colour 

 are warm clay-coloured or stone-ochre, with a faint reddish cream-tinge, and are marked with 

 faint purplish grey underlying shell-markings and dark reddish brown surface-spots and blotches, 

 which are scattered tolerably closely over the surface of the egg. In size they vary from Iff by 

 1^ to Iff by l-j§ inch, eggs from Algeria being both the palest and smallest. 



Mr. Salvin says that the eggs are laid in May, the young being hatched about the second 

 week in June. According to Loche, the young when they emerge from the shell are covered 

 with down, but are helpless, or at least unable to run, being fed by the mother, who disgorges 

 the food for them after the manner of a Pigeon ; but after a few days they are able to run and 

 to search for their own food. Should, however, there be no water in the immediate vicinity, the 

 mother brings it to them until they are able to fly. 



The specimens figured are the adult male and female described, and are in my collection, 

 the young bird described being in the collection of Mr. Howard Saunders. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 6 , b,2 • Seville, Spain, May. c, 6 , d, <* , e, $ . Seville {Lord Lilford). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a, b. Spain, November 1 867. c, <$ . Laghouat, Sahara, November 5th, 1856 {H. B. T.) . d, 2 ■ Sahara, 

 November 14th, 1856 {H. B. T.). 



E Mus. Howard Saunders. 



a, 6 ad. Near Seville, April 22nd, 1869 {H. S.). b, $ . Near Seville, May 18th, 1870. c, 6, d, $. Near 

 Seville, November 10th, 1869. e, 3 ad. Near Seville, June 4th, 1868 (H. S.). f, § juv. Near Seville, 

 October 20th, 1869. 



