Houbara Chlamydotis undulata 
Present in the Protected Area throughout the project period, usually seen once or 
twice a week. Numbers seen were generally one or two at a time, with up to five 
at any one time in February - March 1976, during which period some display was 
noticed . This concerned 1 male and at least 1 female although I cannot be sure that 
on each occasion it was the same pair of individuals. I noted at least three display 
sites, generally slight rises in the otherwise reasonably uniform scrub covered 
plains, and within about 1 km of each other. The male would fluff out his feathers 
but without achieving the more dramatic display of, for example. Great Bustard 
Otis tarda. The female would generally be about 10-20mdistant , usually walking 
slowly behind the low vegetation, occasionally glancing at the male. No juveniles 
were noted, however, during the project period. 
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 
One adult with a very young juvenile noted at the end of July 1975, on the scrub 
covered plains in the Protected Area. Small flocks seen and heard at dawn 
generally flying over the camp site in the direction of the artesian spring. 
Presumed breeding resident in the Protected Area. 
Scops Owl Otus scops 
One individual noted in a wild pistaccio tree at mid-day, 8 July 1975 (photograph 
published in British Birds). The only sighting during the project period. 
Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti 
Present in the Protected Area throughout the period. Initially the identification 
was not absolutely certain, due to the very dark brown colouration of all the 
individuals seen. 
Bluethroat Luscinia svecica 
Noted October - November 1975 at the camp site, generally foraging around the 
kitchen effluent pipe. The several individuals appeared to show (winter plumage) 
characteristics of the white-spotted race Ls cyanecula. 
Desert Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca minula 
One showing the characteristics of an adult male of this race in a thorny hedge 
near a small village in the Protected Area, 30 August 1975. 
Twite Carduelis flavirostris 
One, 1 4 April 1976, at the artesian spring showing a bright pink rump characteristic 
of the race Cf brevirostris. 
Pleske's Ground Jay Podoces pleskei 
Juvenile initially seen on 8 July 1975 in the Protected Area near one of the project 
drilling sites; presumed to be a resident breeding species in the Protected Area. 
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