Messrs. Elwes and Buckley on the Birds of Turkey. 329 



202. Phasianus colchicus, L. 



Exists in a wild state in many parts of Turkey, especially in 

 Macedonia and the north of Albania, We found Pheasants 

 chiefly in the marshy forests of the plains ; but, owing to the ex- 

 treme density of the brambles, they were very difficult to flush, 

 and, when put up by the dogs, would sometimes fly into a tree. 

 A good many are found in the coverts round the foot of Mount 

 Olympus and the vale of Tempe ; but they are becoming scarcer. 

 There cannot be many in Roumelia; for when they were re- 

 quired for the Sultan's aviaries, he sent to Salonica to have them 

 caught. 



203. Otis tarda, L. 



Not uncommon in many parts of Turkey, but, so far as we 

 know, most numerous in the Dobrudscha. The Tartars who 

 live here are very skilful in snaring and trapping Bustards, 

 which they attract by means of stuffed females and other de- 

 vices; and the species has diminished considerably during the last 

 few years in consequence, though it is still common. A good 

 rifle-shot would have no difficulty in shooting them from a cart ; 

 but the most killing way is to drive them in the snow like Par- 

 tridges. The Great Bustard is said to be particularly numerous 

 in a waterless and uninhabited part of Wallachia, which cor- 

 responds to the Dobrudscha on the other side of the river. 



204. Otis tetrax, L. 



Observed once or twice in Macedonia, but not common there 

 during the winter. In the Dobrudscha they are especially nu- 

 merous ; and the manner of shooting them has been capitally 

 described by Mr. Kudleston (Ibis, 1861, pp. 369, 370) . Like the 

 Great Bustard they are decreasing under the influence of culti- 

 vation, which, since the immigration of Tartars from the Crimea, 

 is spreading rapidly. Their number is largely increased in April 

 by flocks which arrive from the south to breed ; but unless driven 

 away by deep snow, a few always remain. The Little Bustard 

 in this country seems to prefer land which, having been once 

 broken up, has been left fallow, and soon becomes covered with 

 a bushy weed, affording good shelter from the numerous Eagles 

 which are always hunting about. 



