16 



lays from three to five eggs of a pale purplish 

 white, with streaks of chocolate red in waving lines, 

 frequently terminating in spots of the same colour. 



BUSTAED, GEEAT. 



OTIS TABDA, Lin. 



This species of the feathered tribe, the largest of 

 the British Land Birds, was formerly common in 

 many parts of England and also in Scotland. It 

 was constantly seen on the extensive plains of 

 Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, Norfolk, and in parts of 

 Yorkshire ; but as agriculture advanced it gradu- 

 ally became very scarce, and is now almost, if not 

 quite, extinct in this country. It feeds chiefly on 

 grasses and herbs of various kinds, particularly green 

 corn, and also on the common earth-worm, of which 

 it is very fond. The male has a kind of a pouch 

 in the fore part of the neck (which was first dis- 

 covered by Dr. Douglas), capable of containing 

 about two quarts of water ; which is admitted by an 

 entrance under the tongue. It is found in France, 

 Italy, and various parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

 The eggs of this species, which are two in number, 

 about the size of those of a goose, are of a pale olive 

 brown, slightly blotched with greenish brown and 

 other hues. The female builds no nest, but de- 

 posits her eggs in the ground. 



