SAND GROUSE. 227 



is also found about Djendeli and Madracen, where 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 Rock 

 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 from 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 nocks of this species are generally 

 smaller than those of its congener, though all the class 

 appear 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 in some respects they 

 are a link between Galllnce and Columbiclce, they never 



