From table 3 it may be noted that common sandgrouse prefer wild 
seeds to cultivated grains; however, cultivated seeds (Phaseolus and 
Cyamposis) are eaten in minor quantities. Seeds of Indigofera and 
Tephrosia appear to be highly preferred. Great quantities of seeds 
are consumed by individual birds as can be seen from the following 
example from Faruqi et al (18): "In the crop of one bird, collected 
on March 12 near Karachi (Pakistan), there were about 5,600 seeds of 
Indigofera cordifolia, 51 seeds of Tephrosia tenuis, 89 of Indigofera 
uniflora, and 9 of Indigofera anabaptista, The crop of another bird, 
collected on February 8 at Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan (India), contained 
about 10,000 seeds of Indigofera linifolia, 350 of Crotalaria sp., 1 of 
Tephrosia purpurea, 5 of Phaseolus radiatus, and slightly over 100 seeds 
of species as yet unidentified." 
The common sandgrouse waters regularly every day. In the Thar 
Desert, water is scarce and the birds tend to concentrate at available 
water sources. Generally the only water present is rainwater which is 
captured in large depressions in the earth, Such waterholes are commonly 
called tanks. The first group of sandgrouse can usually be seen flying 
toward the tank about 1 hour after sunup, These birds generally land on 
a nearby flat where they are joined at intervals by other flocks of birds. 
About 2 to 3 hours after sunup, depending upon the prevailing temperatures, 
the birds rise as a group and circle over the waterhole. If the waterhole 
is in an undisturbed area, they will then land near the shore and walk to 
water. If the waterhole is disturbed by the presence of people and animals 
as often is the case, they will quickly land at the water's edge, or some-~ 
times in the water, drink and fly. During the summer months, at which time 
many of the smaller tanks dry up, tremendous concentrations of sandgrouse 
may utilize the few existing watering sites, 
Baker (3) states that the common sandgrouse will also water a second 
time during the evening before sunset. During the Project's trapping 
operations in the Thar Desert, the common sandgrouse was observed only 
occasionally to water at sunset. Early morning watering, once a day, 
appeared to be the rule. 
General Habits 
Movements and Mobility 
Many of the species of sandgrouse are migratory. The common Indian 
sandgrouse seems to be of a more sedentary nature, however, extensive 
local movements can be expected, During the summer, when many tanks go 
dry, the birds move to adjacent areas where water is still available. It 
also appears that periodic movements, over extended distances, occur in 
relationship to the available food supply. 
No detailed information is available in regard to the daily movements 
of the sandgrouse. Observations, when trapping, indicated that the 
birds would £ly up to 10 miles to water. 
15 
