
Introductions 
Grinnell and Miller (20) state that 21 sandgrouse (Pterocles sp.) 
were liberated on the edge of the Mohave Desert near Palmdale, Los 
Angeles County, Calif., in 1934. These birds were said to have been im- 
ported from Calcutta, India. The release was a failure. No information 
has been found concerning the introduction of sandgrouse into other areas 
of the United States. It is probable that some species have been placed 
periodically in zoos or aviaries. It appears, therefore, that until 
Program operations in India in 1959 no concerted effort had been made to 
release these birds in the wild in an attempt to establish them. During 
the Indian project substantial numbers of the common Indian sandgrouse, 
P. e. hindustan were introduced into the states of Nevada and Hawaii. 
A few imperial sandgrouse were also trapped and sent to the Utah State 
Game Farm for experimental breeding purposes. 
THE COMMON SANDGROUSE OF INDIA 
This section of the report is concerned with the common Indian 
sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus hindustan). This race was selected after 
a general evaluation of its habitat, life history, abundance, and sport- 
ing qualities. During earlier studies the pin-tailed sandgrouse (P. 
alchata) was considered and disapproved by Bump because of its habit of 
forming enormous flocks that he deemed potentially dangerous to agricul- 
ture. Bump (personal communication), had also considered the painted 
sandgrouse (P, indicus) for introduction but states that it was nowhere 
abundant in its native range. 
The common Indian sandgrouse is found in abundance in northwestern 
India and parts of West Pakistan in a habitat which strongly resembles 
many of the arid regions of the southwestern United States, Although 
this bird is considered a resident species, it is mobile and can range 
widely. It was felt that the combination of abundance, availability, 
and good sporting qualities, in conjunction with what appeared to be 
the ability to withstand the severe conditions of a desert environment, 
warranted substantial trial introductions of this bird into southern 
Nevada and later into Hawaii. 
Common Names > 
Some common names for this bird (most are in native dialects) are 
as follows: Common Indian sandgrouse (English), common sandgrouse 
(English), small pin-tailed sandgrouse (English), bhat-titar (Hindi), 
bakht-titar (Hindi), kuma-tit (Hindi), kakar (Hindi), dangar (Hindi), 
bowri (Hindi), butabar (Sindi), batibun (Sindi), popandi (Bhil), 
pakorade (Marathi), jam polanka (Telegu) ,kal-gowjal-haki (Mysore), 
and kal-kandari (Tamil). 
