AUSTRALIAN BUSTARD OR WILD TURKEY. 145 



CHAPTER CXXXVI. 



Australian Bustard or Wild Turkey. 

 (Eupodotis Australis, J. E. Gray.) 



The Australian Bustard or Wild Turkey is a truly noble 

 insect-destroying bird, which, unfortunately for our farmers 

 and graziers, is fast disappearing from most parts of the 

 State. The " pot-shotter " and the poison cart are largely 

 the cause of its rapidly reducing numbers. In the 

 early days of Victoria, this bird was fairly common, 

 especially on the plains and open country in the North- 

 western parts, but now it is threatened with partial if not 

 total extinction. 



The Wild Turkey, when fully grown, will stand nearly 

 3 feet 6 inches in height, and in colour is a dappled greyish- 

 brown, legs yellowish. A good specimen has been known 

 to weigh from 13 to 16 lbs. Gould, in his valuable hand- 

 book, says that " in size, this species exceeds the European 

 Bustard (Otis tarda), standing higher upon its legs, and 

 having a longer neck, and when seen at feed or slowly 

 stalking over its native plains, no Australian bird, except 

 the Emu and Cassowary, is so majestic, or assumes in its 

 carriage so great an air of independence. The male is 

 much larger than the female, and, from the greater length 

 of the plumes of the neck and occiput, is much more 

 stately in appearance. It flies heavily, with its long neck 

 stretched out to the utmost, but is capable of sustaining 

 flight for a considerable distance. The eggs of this fine 

 bird are laid usually in clutches of two in number, and in 

 such situations I have frequently come across them." 

 Mr. Campbell and others speak of the nest being indicated 

 by a few twigs, but, personally, I have not noticed this 

 peculiarity. 



