of the Male Bustard. 121 



casionally cut them. Ou the blowpipe being inserted into one 

 of the apertures thus made^a small bubble was immediately raised, 

 which increased on greater power being applied, so as to form a 

 considerable bag, perhaps three inches long. This peculiarity we 

 found in every part of the neck ; but it was plain, after one or two 

 trials, that none of these bags existed of themselves, but were the 

 result of the membranes being forcibly ruptured by the pressure 

 of the air. Once or twice, on inflating the tissues, a sort of hour- 

 glass form, such as is mentioned by Naumann, was apparent, but 

 generally the bags were wider at the top than at the bottom. 

 The examination took us between three and four hours, but at 

 last the membranes became so dry that we had some difficulty in 

 inflating a small cluster of bubbles to preserve as a specimen, 

 which Mr. Bartlett still keeps. I can most honestly assert, that 

 if I had any prepossession beyond the wish of arriving at the 

 truth, it was in favour of the existence of the pouch ; and I am 

 sure Mr. Bartlett took all possible pains to find it. I had told 

 him of much that had been written and of much that I had heard 

 on the subject ; among other things a communication 1 have not 

 before mentioned here, made to me by my friend Mr. John Scales, 

 to the effect that many years ago, when residing in Norfolk, he 

 obtained a very large male Bustard, now one of the glories of 

 the Museum at Norwich, from which he " dissected out the 

 pouch. '^ Mr. Bartlett, as my readers are no doubt aware, now 

 holds the situation of Superintendent at the Gardens of the 

 Zoological Society, and knowing that he has since had other op- 

 portunities of observation, I lately applied to him to furnish me 

 with the results. His answer, containing, as I think, a most 

 valuable suggestion, is as follows : — 



" The interest I have felt with reference to the existence or 

 otherwise of the pouch in the throat of the Great Bustard has 

 naturally led me to examine with great care all the birds of that 

 species that have come within my reach. Notwithstanding my 

 want of success, and, I must add, my disappointment, I am 

 of opinion that it would be unwise and unfair to deny that 

 something difi'ering from what I have found does occasionally 

 exist. The fine large adult male obtained by you in March 

 1858, and in which we failed to find any opening under the 



