Bustards, 395 



I quote the following remarks of Mr. 

 Dresser : — " The Great Bustard frequents 

 open, flat ground, preferring grassy plains 

 or cultivated land, but avoiding localities 

 near human habitations, and places where 

 there are trees and bushes and where it 

 cannot command an uninterrupted view 

 over a large tract of country. It is 

 peculiarly wary and shy ; and it is almost 

 impossible to approach it within gun-shot 

 range. Hilly country, and especially 

 mountains, it avoids altogether, and is 

 never met with in the woodlands or forests. 

 It especially frequents cultivated fields, 

 and is often found in those where rape- 

 seed, wheat, and rye have been sown. 

 It passes the night in the open fields, 

 choosing places where it cannot be ap- 

 proached without taking alarm, and is so 

 watchful that it is impossible to surprise 

 it when asleep. It leaves its night- quarters 

 at the first break of dawn, and during the 

 hot summer days will often take a siesta 

 during the hottest part of the day, but is 

 then equally wary and difficult of approach. 

 It flies with more ease than one would 

 imagine, considering the size and weight 

 of the bird, and has no difficulty in taking 

 wing, at once springing up into the air 

 without first taking a step or two, and 



