184 GAME-BIRDS OF INDIA 



it has, or may have, to endure. At the same time the Great Indian 

 Bustard requires protection just as much as our other game-birds do, 

 for it is much sought after by snarers and bird-catchers. I have had 

 several letters from correspondents describing the way in which these 

 birds are noosed in all districts and all provinces. The principal way 

 in which they are caught is thus described by Hume : — 



" In parts of the Punjab, and doubtless elsewhere, the native 

 fowlers are very expert in noosing them. A small party is descried 

 in the middle of a plain. The fowler, with a blanket folded over head 

 and shoulders, native-fashion (or at times driving a trained bullock 

 before him) and a large supply of pegs and gut nooses at his girdle, 

 circles, slowly approaching nearer and nearer, round the flock. By 

 little indications inappreciable to us, he discovers the direction in 

 which if slightly and cautiously pressed, the Bustards will walk. 

 Across the line of march, sauntering slowly backwards and forwards, 

 and pretending to cut and collect grass the while, the fowler pegs 

 down rows of nooses. Then, taking a wider circuit, he begins to 

 approach the flock from the opposite side, not walking at them, but 

 sideways, at right angles to the line he wishes them to take, passing 

 nearer and nearer at each lap, never in the least alarming them, but 

 quietly edging and pressing them towards the nooses. Sometimes be 

 lets them walk right on to the nooses; generally, when close to them, 

 he drops his blanket, throws up his arms, and rushes at them. They 

 always in these cases run a few paces before they rise, and though 

 occasionally all escape, generally one, often two, and sometimes three 

 or four, are caught by one or other leg. The chief skill consists in 

 walking them exactly across the lines of nooses, which are never, 

 according to my experience, more than fifty yards long, and usually 

 much less." 



Mr. Simcox gives another account of the catching of these birds 

 which is worth quoting. 



" The hen Bustard is very devoted to her egg or newly hatched 

 chick. The Bhils set out and find an egg or a newly-hatched chick, 

 and the mother is never far ofi'. They make a circular ring of dry 

 grass and sticks round the egg or chick and set it on fire. The old 

 bird sees this, comes up and tries to beat out the fire with her wings, 

 the Bhils being in hiding. She may or she may not beat out the fire, 

 but anyhow she singes her wings and cannot fly. The Bhils then 

 run her down." 



As will be seen by Jerdon's description this bird is practically 

 omnivorous; but to the items of diet mentioned by him must be 



y 



