SAND GROUSE. 
007 
I 
is also found about Djendcli and Madracen, wbcre that 
bird is not found. Mr. Tristram says that though less 
abundant than Alchata, P. arenarius occurs universally 
throughout the Sahara, excepting in the extreme south, 
where it is replaced by P. Sencgalus. Dr. Leith 
Adams informs me that it occurs plentifully in Persia, 
Afghanistan, and Northern India, where it is known 
to English sportsmen either as Sand Grouse or Pock 
Pigeon. He further adds, “It frequents dry arid 
wastes, and is usually met with in flocks; although in 
request as a game bird its flesh is tough, and devoid 
of good flavour. The call is a rough guttural sound, 
resembling Tuturuk’ repeated.” 
The following interesting account of the Sand Grouse 
is taken froin Mr. Tristram’s paper on the “Ornithology 
of Northern Africa,” (Ibis, vol. ii, p. 69:) — “There is 
much of the Plover character in the flight and manner 
of this tribe; and the first time I observed a covey on 
the wing I took them for some large Plovers until 
within shot. The flocks of this species are generally 
smaller than those of its congener, though all the class 
aj)]oear to be more or less gregarious, even in the 
breeding season, several generally nesting close to each 
other. The P. arenarius is not so wary as P. alchata, 
perhaps from its upper plumage assimilating more closely 
to the sand in colour; but when alarmed it crouches 
to the ground, carefully concealing its dark breast, and 
does not take wing until approached very closely. 
Then it suddenly rises to a considerable height, and 
flies often to a great distance. These birds chiefly 
feed towards sunset, when their call-note, resembling 
that of a Partridge, may be heard incessantly until 
after dusk. As if to shew that iu some respects they 
are a link between Gathnce and Columhidev, they never 
