OTIDID.^—BUSTA RDS. 



229 



posed it to be standing, then looked through cautiously and had a fine view of it. 

 It was about 150 yards off, and appeared to be an old bird in perfect plumage. 

 Of course it was no use firing at it at such a distance, but I thought if I went on a 

 few yards further, and crawled through a gap, and ran in upon it, I might get 

 within shot before it rose, or that it might fly towards me. But while I was 

 thinking of this it took wing, and flew right away from me towards some salt 

 marshes, where it pitched again. I followed to the bank, and, upon looking over, 

 saw it about a mile off, standing on some bare mud. Soon after it was fired at by 

 some one from a boat which was in a creek near at hand ; and it then flew off to 

 the westward, and I lost sight of it." 



After this, I received several further reports of the bird, which was repeatedly 

 seen on the marshes and mud-flats between Walton-on-the-Naze and Harwich 

 for several weeks after. On Oct. 14th, Mr. Kerry reported its having been 

 seen there in company with some Herons. 



Family OTIDID^. 



Great Bustard : Otis tarda. 



There can be no doubt that this interesting species was once 

 resident in Essex, as in most other parts of England, although 

 now never seen, except as a rare 

 and accidental straggler. It was 

 probably never abundant in this 

 county, which has few of those wide, 

 open, uncultivated districts fre- 

 quented by the bird. However, 

 on the extensive downs around 

 Heydon and Chrishall, in the ex- 

 treme north-eastern corner of the 

 county, which are exactly suited to 

 its habits, it was probably once fairly 

 common — indeed, we have actual 

 printed evidence of the fact, for in 

 Addison's Spectator for March 4th, 

 1712 (No. ccxvii.), occurs the follow- 

 ing advertisement, to which Yarrell's attention was drawn (14. i. ix.) 

 by Mr. Joseph Clarke : — 



" Heyden, in Essex, ne.4.r Walden and Royston. The 

 seat of Sir Peter Soame, Bart., deceased, situate on a Gentle Hill, 

 with a very large and pleasant Prospect, fair Gardens, Canals, Fish 

 Ponds, Dove-Coate, and all sorts of Offices without Door, Woods of 

 large Timber, and where is all Game in great plenty, even to the 

 Bustard and Pheasant, is to be Let furnished or unfurnished for 16 

 years. Enquire at Mr. Chus, Bartly Street, Piccadilly, or at Mr. 

 •Cooper's at the Blue Boar in Holborn." 



GREAT BUSTARD, lualc, 1/2 



