202 OTIDID.E. 



nated." Mr. William Borrer, of Cowfold, then an under- 

 graduate of Peterbouse, has a very fine female, which was 

 killed on the 26th of January, 1838, whilst feeding in a 

 turnip field at Dersingham, near Castle Rising. The base 

 of each of the feathers on the breast of this bird was of a 

 delicate rose colour ; a hue which Belon and Graves had 

 already noticed, and which has since been observed in many 

 individuals of this and of other species. In the same year 

 another, and probably the last indigenous British bird, was 

 obtained, and was thus recorded at the time by Mr. J. H. Gur- 

 ney: — "May, 1838. Great Bustard. A specimen of this bird 

 was lately killed at Lexham, near SwafFham. The person who 

 brought it to Norwich said there were several more female 

 Bustards in the neighbourhood, but no male. On dissection 

 the stomach was found to contain a quantity of green sub- 

 stance resembling clover, and an egg was found in the ova- 

 rium (for it was a female), nearly the full size, but without a 

 shell ; and from the inflamed state of that organ it was sup- 

 posed that some eggs had been laid already. The weight 

 and dimensions of the bird were as follows, viz.: — Weight, 

 10 lbs. 10 oz. Length 2 ft. 9 in. ; from tip to tip, 5 ft. 10 in. ; 

 of tibia, 8 in. ; of tarsus, measured to the heel, 6 in. The 

 plumage was beautifully freckled on the back, but was much 

 worn, so that the bird evidently had not moulted for some 

 time. It was remarked that the down at the base of the 

 feathers was of a beautiful rose colour" (Zool. s.s. p. 4724). 

 This bird now forms part of the fine series of Norfolk Bus- 

 tards in the Norwich Museum. 



It is supposed that during these latter six years the few 

 remaining hens had dropped their eggs at random, without 

 forming nests ; but there was no cock bird left, and thus the 

 indigenous race became extinct. The previous cause of the 

 diminution of the species in Norfolk was, however, the new 

 system introduced into agriculture. To quote Mr. Steven- 

 son's own words : — " The hen Bustard nearly always laid 

 her eggs in the winter- sown corn, which in former days was, 

 almost without exception, rye, sown broadcast after the old 

 fashion. As the mode of tillage improved, wheat was grad- 



