1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 15 



passage. These birds proljubly begin to pass in September or 

 possibly at the end of Augnst, but I have no positive records. 

 As tlie kaoliang (sorghum) is not down much before the 

 beginning of October — and the birds, as a rule, fly very 

 low, — observations at that season are difficult imtil the plain 

 is more or less cleared of the liigh crops. My predecessor 

 at this port once shot eight in the course of an afternoon at 

 the beginning of October, out of a laige number which flew 

 over the port that day. These Bustards fly in flocks which 

 occasionally contain from 40 to 50 birds ; but, as a rule, 

 10 to 20 individuals is the usual number. Very wary, they 

 seldom alight while migrating, except in the vicinity of decoys 

 and in very open places. After the middle of November 

 and during winter, the Great Bustard may be found on the 

 bare high ground inland and on the plains. The natives 

 shoot the Eastern Great Bustard on passage, by means of 

 decoys, both in spring and in autumn after the crops have 

 been cut *. Large circular pits are dug on the plain in the 

 line of flight of the Bustards. These are furnished witli a 

 flat roof of kaoliang stalks, the roof being a very few 

 inches above the level of the ground. The edge of the roof 

 is hung with grass so as to conceal the interior. A few 

 paces from the pit, Bustard skins stuffed so as to represent 

 the birds in an expectant attitude are planted all I'ound. 

 These Bustard skins have the orbits stufl'ed with cotton 

 painted black, the legs are cut off and replaced by a stout 

 stick, the tail is spread in the characteristic manner, and 

 the skins, in which the wing-quills have been pulled out, 

 are stuffed in such a way as to show a great deal of white 

 on the flanks, the wings being tightly bound to the body. 

 The professional shooting-men come daily to these decoys 

 during the times of passage and remain thei'C throughout 

 the day. On the approach of the Bustards thev conceal 

 themselves in the pits. The Bustards, on sighting the decoy, 

 generally fly straight to it and after wheeling round once 



* Since the above was written, I have been informed by my collector 

 that the birds are also taken with nets. 



