LITTLE BUSTARD 199 
much dilated, and at this time of year the male remains 
about the same spot for many hours in the day. 
Food.—Grain is consumed in large quantities, while small 
mamunals, frogs, slugs, snails, and insects, are also eaten. 
Nest.—The nest of dry grass is built on the ground in 
places where the vegetation is tall enough to cover the 
sitting-bird. The eges, numbering cee to four in the 
clutch, are greenish- ‘brown in sround- colour, with darker 
patches, and often zoned with reddish- brown or rufous. 
Incubation usually begins towards the end of May. 
The males fight to gain the possession of the females, 
and after breeding, the “birds form large packs which, as 
winter approaches, break up into smaller parties. 
Unlike the Great Bustard, the Little Bustard has never 
been known to breed in the British Isles. 
Geographical distribution.— This is a south-eastern 
species, breeding in many countries of Southern Europe, 
also in Asia and North Africa. On migration it has been 
recorded from Norway and Sweden, while in Germany it 
occurs chiefly as a winter-visitor. It also migrates in winter 
to North-western India. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.—Top of head, back, and 
scapulars, rather light brown, streaked profusely with fine 
black lines; wing-coverts, breast, and abdomen, white ; 
cheeks and throat, grey ; neck, black, interrupted by a white 
U-shaped loop above, and a collar of white below. 
Adult female nuptial. — Feathers of the neck and 
breast, brown, finely marked with black ; back and wings, 
strongly marked with black streaks. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Somewhat resembles 
the female nuptial plumage. 
Immature, male and female.—Somewhat resembles the 
adult winter plumage. 
Beak. MHorn-grey, black at the tip; base of lower 
segment yellowish. 
Freer. Dull ochre-yeilow. 
IripEs. Dull yellowish-brown shading to reddish-brown. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH ... a oho Ae (eee 
WING vee fas AS)" 5) 5 
BEAK ne a Rete Nae hel is ete 
T'ARSO- METATARSUS sco Oe 
EGG oor s< Ic byin: 
