It was originally thought that sandgrouse might occupy the dry 
regions on the leeward side of Mauna Kea, particularly in the plateau 
parkland and the broad central plain between Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, 
and Mount Hualalai. No sightings of sandgrouse have been made at the 
release sites, or elsewhere on the islands, since December 1962, and 
it is now believed that all releases in Hawaii resulted in failure, 
Potential Adaptability to the United States 
The common sandgrouse, which appears to be a resident bird in 
India, has shown a marked tendency towards migrations of substantial 
distances following releases in Nevada. This may be the result of a 
normal reaction following release or it may be a reflection of possible 
inadequacies of the environment into which they were introduced. No 
migrations were recorded from Hawaii but the birds gradually disappeared. 
It would appear that this subspecies does not have the wide margin of 
adaptability which is apparent in gray and black francolins. Indian 
sandgrouse food habits are for the most part quite selective and it is 
possible that this subspecies also is not tolerant of extreme changes 
in temperature. In referring back to table 2 it can be seen that the 
mean minimum temperatures at Overton, Nev., are lower in every month 
of the year than are those at Jodhpur, India. Temperatures may be 
particularly critical in Overton during the months of November, December, 
and January when rather sharp temperature changes are accompanied by 
winter rains. Because the common sandgrouse, released in southern Nevada 
disappeared during the advent of cold winter rains it would seem that the 
winter temperature-precipitation relation in southern Nevada may be one 
of the major factors in preventing the establishment of this species here. 
In Hawaii, at least near Pohakuloa, the minimum temperatures are 
cooler than those at Jodhpur, India. Fall and winter precipitation is 
heavy, in contrast to the summer monsoon precipitation pattern in the 
Thar Desert. Consequently, it seems that here also winter precipitation 
may be one of the important factors in limiting establishment of the 
common Indian sandgrouse. 
There may be a place for this sandgrouse in the United States, 
Based on the experience to date, this place, if present at all, will 
most likely be south of southern Nevada where winter temperatures are 
warmer, or without cold winter precipitation, and where a more favorable 
summer precipitation pattern occurs. 
Although this subspecies seems to have a narrow range of tolerance 
the advantages of establishing it or some other species of sandgrouse 
would seem to be worth the detailed investigations that are needed. 
It is possible that some species of sandgrouse may truly fit into large 
expanses of currently game deficient range, and thereby fully qualify 
to meet the objectives of the Foreign Game Introduction Program. 
26 
