LITTLE BUSTARD. 39 



Devonshire, and many of the eastern districts, individuals 

 have been obtained. In the north of England it becomes 

 extremely rare, and in Scotland is scarcely ever seen. The 

 only specimen obtained there, in so far as I can learn, is a 

 female wliich Mr. John Adamson informs me was shot on the 

 6th of March, 1840, near St. Andrew's. " It was first seen 

 among turnips, on the farm of Burnside. When raised, it 

 took a short circular flight, with outstretched neck, like a 

 duck, and again settled in an adjoining ploughed field, where 

 it was found with some difficulty as it sat close. It gave a 

 peculiar chirping cry on rising. It was in fine condition, 

 weighing twenty-eight ounces, and on being prepared was 

 placed in the museum of the St. Andrew's Literary and 

 Philosophical Society." 



This species is said to be remarkably shy and vigilant, to 

 run with great celerity, and to fly Avell, although on ordinary 

 occasions it seldom rises on wing ; to feed on worms, insects, 

 herbs, and seeds ; and to nestle among the grass or corn, 

 laying from three to five glossy green eggs. Mr. Yarrell 

 states that they are two inches in length, an inch and a half 

 in breadth ; the colour of one in his collection, uniform olive- 

 brown, although he has seen some slightly clouded with 

 patches of darker brown. The same author informs us that 

 in a specimen killed at Harwich, " the stomach contained 

 parts of leaves of the white turnip, lungwort, dandelion, and 

 a few blades of grass. The flesh had the appearance and 

 flavour of that of a young hen Pheasant." Others say it is 

 dark, but of an exquisite flavour. 



In France, where this species is common, it arrives in 

 April, and departs in September. It is said to be polyga- 

 mous, the male assuming a station, and attracting the females 

 by his cries. The eggs are deposited in June, and the young, 

 which follow their mother like those of a domestic fowl, and 

 conceal themselves by squatting under the apprehension of 

 danger, are not able to fly until the middle of August. 



