Sand Grouse
in ornithology, the family Pteroclidæ, called also rock pigeons. Elegantly formed birds, with pointed tails, and plumage of beautifully varied protective tints. They are preeminently desert birds, and are found in great numbers in the most arid situations and on the most open and barren plains.
Their food consists of hard seed and insects. Pterocles setarius is the pin-tailed sand grouse, and Syrrhaptes paradoxus Pallas's sand grouse.