THE GREAT BUSTARD. 181 



common in Sweden, is now exceedingly scarce in that 

 country, and in Norway would appear to be altogether 

 unknown. It is also very scarce in Denmai'k proper ; but 

 in Holstein, a former dependency of that kingdom, it is 

 not, according- to Ivjierbolliug, so very rare. The j^i'ojoer 

 home of this noble bird would seem to be Africa and the 

 south-eastern parts of Europe, Southern Russia, Walla- 

 cbia and Moldavia, Hungary, Galicia, and Dalmatia ; 

 but it is also found in France, Switzerland, Germany, and 

 Belgium. In former times it was pretty common in 

 England.* As a migratory bird, it first arrives in 

 Sweden in April. " They are then met with in small 

 companies ; but before leaving the country in the autumn 

 they collect in flocks, and, occasionally, in considerable 

 numbers. Usually they are somewhat spread, but, at 

 times, stand ranged in lines or ranks." 



The Great Bustard, which is the largest of the 

 European birds, measures from 3 feet 5 to 3 feet 8 inches 

 in length, but the female is considerably smaller. It 

 is a shy and cunning bird, and always keeps to open 

 ground, far away from bushes, fences, &c. In the summer 

 it will not readily take wing, but endeavours to elude its 

 pursuers by means of its wonderful rapidity of foot. 

 What with legs and wings together it scuttles along at 

 a most extraordinary pace. When at that season it is 

 desirous of flying, it is compelled first to run a long way 

 before it can rise from tlie ground ; but once fairly on 

 the wing, its flight, which is slow and short, is attended 

 with less trouble. In tlie autumn, on the other hand, 



* Very recently, I am told, several Bustards were seen in Lincolnshire, 

 in localities, it is to be presumed, that once were fens. If such really was 

 the case, it is, therefore, to be hoped that these fine birds, which the 

 other day seemed all but extinct with us, will again, as aforetime, become 

 pretty common. 



