106 THE BUSTARD. 



R bird or too with the shot gun, by charging on horse back at racing speed 

 into a flock, taking flying shots as they get under weigh. 



Armed with a good rifle or carbine, mounted on a strong but quiet 

 China pony, and accompanied by an attendant, also well mounted, one 

 is ready for the chase. Some previous knowledge of the favourite spots 

 of the local birds is necessary. Sandy river beds and the cultivated 

 fields bordering them are generally wofth exploring. By keeping the 

 ponies at a comfortable trot one can cover a lot of country in a remark- 

 ably short time, and can at the same time keep a sharp look out for any 

 sign of the quarry. If possible ride with the back to the sun, in which 

 case the sunny side of the bustard is presented to the hunter, and the 

 white of the wing and breast can be seen at a great distance. If the 

 shady side is presented to the sportsman, he will often fail to see the 

 birds till they have become alarmed at his approach, and take to their 

 wings. 



Having sighted the birds, the sportsman should halt and take a 

 careful survey of the surrounding ground, looking out for irrigation canals 

 or any other cover. If there is none the best thing for him to do is to 

 make a big circuit round the bustards, gradually drawing nearer till 

 within range. Then, handing the reins of his pony to the attendant, 

 and slipping out of the saddle on the side away from the flock, he should 

 allow the man to ride on with the horses, who should at once begin to 

 edge away. This device deceives the wary birds, whose united gaze is 

 concentrated on the horses. It fools them into the belief that they are 

 not going to be molested, and, if the dismounting has been neatly done 

 without any commotion, and the hunter has dropped flat on his belly, 

 the bustards will not notice him and will resume their feeding. He can 

 then carefully select his bird and take his time about aiming. Needless 

 to say, accurate shooting is very necessary, for £he vulnerable area of 

 the bustard is far less than the mark presented. It is almost useless 

 trying to get a second bird out of the same flock on the same day ; 

 indeed it is difficult to get a second shot if the first fails. For my 

 part I feel very satisfied if I return at the end of the day with a single 

 bird hanging from my saddle, for bustard shooting is one of the most 

 difficult of sports. 



If the birds take to their wings before one has had time to fire, 

 one should get to horse with all speed and follow then*, not being dis- 

 couraged if they seem to vanish over the horizon. A bird in the air is 

 a most 'deceptive thing and it looks a great deal farther off than it 

 really is. Many times I have watched a flock of bustards fly out of 

 sight and then, jumping upon my pony, have come upon them within 

 a mile or so. 



