196 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



Once a solitary bustard haunted a turnip-field in Cornwall, and the 

 country people fancied it must be an eagle, from its great size and the noise 

 it made when it rose from its covert in the bush. In Bristol there is a record 

 that one Christmas two bustards were served up at table, and gave great 

 magnificence to the feast. 



Another story, not so probable, is that the last of the Salisbury Plain 

 bustards came up to a farmer, and let itself be taken as if in despair. 



The bustard feeds on the berries that grow on the heath, and on the 

 large worms that lie in quantities on the downs before the sun rises 

 on a summer morning. Its food is moist, and it can live a long time 

 without drinking. Indeed, one that was kept in a tame state never drank 

 at all. 



The male bird has a curious pouch or sac that opens under the tongue, 

 and can hold three quarts of water. People have thought that the w^ater was 

 for the use of his partner when she sat on her eggs ; but this is not the case, 

 for it is said that as soon as she begins to sit he deserts her, and does not 

 return till the young are fledged. 



The bustard runs with all the speed of its race, and you might think 

 would easily get out of the way of the dogs. Indeed, it can go several miles 

 without stopping. But its danger is from attempting to fly. It flaps its 

 wings, and endeavours to get the air beneath them in order to rise ; but much 

 time is lost in this way, and the dogs get nearer and nearer. Then it has to 

 give up the attempt and keep on running, until it either gets away or, if it is 

 too fat to run as fast and as far as usual, it is taken. 



The nest is made upon the ground, by scraping out the earth after the 

 fashion of the ostrich, and sometimes lining it with a little straw. 



Two eggs only are laid in the nest, about the size of a goose's Qgg, of 

 a pale olive brown, and marked with darker spots. The young are hatched 

 in five weeks, and run about as soon as they leave the shell. 



In October the bustards assemble in flocks, and keep together until 

 April. In the winter their food becomes scarce, and they catch all they can 

 find; moles, mice, and even little birds become their prey. And, for want of 

 other food, they live on turnip tops and what vegetables are to be had. Some- 

 times, in very severe weather, they are frozen to death ; but the natural terra 

 of the bustard's life is fifteen years. 



In some parts of the continent the young are taken alive and kept in 



