in the Eastern Atlas. 353 
P. alcliata and P. arenarius: further to the southward others 
are found. 
99. Pterocles arenarius. (Sand Grouse.) 
Is found in the same localities as the last-mentioned species, 
but it also occurs about Djendeli and the Madracen, where I 
never met with P. alcliata . 
100. Caccabis petrosa. (Barbary Partridge.) 
The Barbary Partridge is very abundant in all the country 
we visited, especially in the Regency of Tunis. It lays its eggs 
about the beginning of April, from eleven to fifteen forming the 
usual complement. It is known to the Arabs as “ El Hadjel.” 
101. Turnix coturnix. (Quail.) 
Vast numbers of Quails are said to occur along the eastern 
coast of Tunis, and in the adjacent islands, during the period of 
the spring migration in April. A few remain to breed, and 
they may be met with in scattered pairs all over the country. 
102. Otis tetrax. (Little Bustard.) 
Throughout the extensive plains of Tunis the Little Bustard 
seems generally and plentifully distributed. In the Eastern 
Atlas its favourite resorts are the Arab corn-fields and grassy 
pastures; and it appears to seek rather than avoid cultivation, 
in this respect widely differing in taste from its congeners, O . 
tarda and Houbara undulata. The eggs of this species are laid 
about the middle of May, but some birds defer the period of 
incubation till June, as we obtained eggs as late as the 27th of 
the latter month. The nest was usually found in a corn field. 
One shown me by an Arab near Ain Djendeli was so situated. 
It consisted merely of a little dry grass placed in a slight 
hollow in the ground. There were tw x o eggs in this nest when 
it was shown to me. While I was endeavouring to make the 
Arab comprehend that if unmolested the bird would lay more, 
he destroyed the nest with a stick in his hand, but fortunately 
did not injure the eggs. Three or four seems to be the usual 
complement of eggs laid by one bird. 
103. Houbara undulata. (Houbara Bustard.) 
We only meet with the Houbara in the Harakta country near 
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