1890. 



THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



103 



particularly in Arabia, and is also found in North Africa and Southern 

 Europe. It breeds in Central Asia, North Africa, and perhaps in 

 Spain. I do not know that it has ever occurred in England. 



The Imperial Sand-grouse frequents open sandy plains, and in 

 Scinde and parts of the Punjaub is found in immense flocks. In 

 habits it is very similar to the next species, but it is far more difficult 

 to approach, and whereas I have often seen Exustus on ground where 

 there were scattered bushes, I never saw Arenarius except in absolute- 

 ly open places — when flushed, too, it flies right away. I first saw this 

 sand-grouse at the big tank near Sabli Road Station — the next station 

 beyond Virangam. I was duck shooting there on January 7th, 1889, 

 and about 9 o'clock in the morning, I saw a large flock, perhaps 150, of 

 them come down to the edge of the tank to drink. I made an attempt 

 to creep up to them, but without success, for they rose and flew clear 

 away before I got anywhere near them. A single bird, however, came 

 round within shot, as I thought, and I let drive both barrels at him, 

 but he showed no sign of being touched so I suppose I missed. South- 

 Eastward of Sabli Road in the neighbourhood of Lilapur, Lakhta and 

 the Null, I saw several small flocks, but was quite unable to get with- 

 in shot of any or them. Further East still, near Patri, on the edge of 

 the Ran of Cutch, they are said to be far more numerous, and fair bags 

 are sometimes obtained by shooting them as they come to some tank 

 to drink — I have been told that this is first rate sport as the birds pass 

 overhead high and very fast, and require very straight shooting to 

 bring them down. The flesh of this Sand-grouse is mixed white and 

 brown, and it is said to be delicious eating: indeed, one writer says 

 that it is the finest game bird in India for the table. 



THE COMMON SANDGROUSE. 



PTEROCLES EXUSTUS, TEMMINCK. 



Description— Male, general colour, light yellowish brown, inclining 

 to yellow round the neck and under the throat, and mixed with darker 

 brown on the back, wings and upper tail-coverts ; primaries very dark 

 brown with the tips of all except the first three white ; tail light 

 yellowish brown, with the two central feathers elongated and darker ; 

 a narrow black band across the breast ; breast below this black band 

 yellowish brown, verging into deep chocolate brown on the abdomen ; 

 vent paler ; under tail coverts yellowish white, as are the tarsal 

 plumes. 



