310 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(316) THE THIBETAN SAND GBOUSE. 



(SYEEHAPTES TIBETANUS— {Gould.) ) 



Description. — " It has the upper parts and breast minutely mottled 

 with zigzag markings ; the throat and sides of the neck ochre yellow ; 

 the wings sandy yellow with some black markings on the scapulars; 

 and the lower parts white. Length 20 inches." 



For a detailed description of the species see Hume and Marshall's 

 11 G*ame Birds of India, Burmah, and Ceylon." 



Rob. — Within India, the desert Alpine tracts of Ladak and the 

 upper portions of the Sutlej Valley ; beyond it, the high plateaux north 

 of the Himalayas. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 The same as the preceding species. 



(317) THE LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL. 



(TUENIX DUSSUMIERI— (Tenm.) ) 



Hindi — Bubhi, Turra. Bengali — Lilbia in Purneah. 

 Hab.— Widely distributed in India, but not very common in Lower 

 Bengal. In Bengal specimens have been obtained from Jessore 

 Purneah, Bhagulpore, Nya Dumka, &c. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — In providing accommodation for the sand grouse, damp 

 and wet should be scrupulously avoided, and may be generally treated 

 like the houbara bustard. 



Food. — Grains, seeds, fruits, and berries ; a liberal allowance of 

 vegetables should be supplied. Insects and worms are also acceptable 

 to them. 



Transport. — The sand grouse are extremely shy birds, and should 

 be treated almost like pheasants. 



Treatment in sickness. 



An autopsy was performed in almost every case after the death 

 of a Pallas's or Thibetan sand grouse, and in the majority of them death 

 was found to have been caused by disorders of the liver or lungs. 



Observations on the habits of sand grouse. 



They are extremely timid birds, and as shy after six months as on 

 their arrival ; although the cage in which they lived was lofty and 

 spacious, they were seldom, if ever, observed to fly, always preferring 

 to squat on the sand and hay on the floor ; they are said to be rather 

 noisy birds in their wild state ; in captivity, however, they are not so. 



