BUPODOTIS EDWARDSI 177 



Occasionally the Indian Bustard may, I believe, be put up out of 

 crops like a quail and bagged at short range. But my knowledge of 

 him is confined to the open plains where he is ordinarily met with in 

 these parts. He may be shot in two ways. First by stalking him with 

 a small-bore ritle, though stalking is hardly the correct term, owing to 

 the absence of cover, which necessitates a perfectly open approach. 

 If this be conducted with an air of indifference and by an indirect 

 advance, a shot may often be obtained at from 80 to 100 yards. 

 A nearer approach is rarely possible unless there is some slight cover, 

 grass, or low bushes (for the bird I mean). In that case the Bustard 

 will sometimes squat down flat, vanishing from sight in a marvellous 

 manner, but unable to resist the temptation of now and then raising 

 its head to see where you are. Now is the chance for the shot-gun. 

 Gradually lessen the distance by from ten to twenty yards, then turn 

 and run straight in, when, with any luck, you may be able to get 

 in both barrels at a fair range." 



Mr. G. Sanderson, also, was apparently more fortunate than most 

 sportsmen in inducing Bustard to wait for him in scrub-jungle until 

 he could get within shot. He says, vide Hume : — 



" The great Indian Bustard occurs somewhat plentifully throughout 

 Mysore, in suitable localities, viz., open plains in the vicinity of scrub- 

 jungle. I have seen five feeding together, three commonly. I believe 

 that the Bustard in Mysore migrates. It is exceedingly wary. Its 

 note, usually uttered before daylight, is a booming cry, not unlike 

 a distant shout ; hence it is denominated in Canarese the ' bird that 

 calls hke a man' (Arl-Koogina-Hukki). 



" The Bustard feeds in stubble-fields and open plains till about 

 10 a.m., as also in the afternoon. During the heat of the day it 

 retires to low bush jungle. I have frequently shot Bustards by 

 having markers posted upon commanding eminences within a circuit 

 of three or four miles round their feeding-grounds. The particular 

 habits of the birds are generally well known locally, and when 

 one has been marked down after its return from its morning feed, 

 it may generally be walked up, within a few hundred yards of the 

 place where it alighted. In the scrub-jungle they frequently lie very 

 close, and must be carefully looked for. Before I was aware of this 

 peculiarity, I failed to find several birds. On one occasion a Bustard 

 uttered its peculiar cry about twenty yards behind me. It had 

 ■walked out of a small bush which I had passed within five yards, and 

 uttered its note when standing on the ground." 



Similar examples of a confiding disposition in the Indian Great 

 Bustard must not, however, be expected, though they may be hoped 

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