Great Bustards. 103 



of men, but rarely, and indeed difficultly, take 

 wing. They are often taken by greyhounds in a 

 fair course, in the manner of a hare. Their flesh 

 is very well tasted." 



In the " Naturalist's Pocket Magazine," published 

 in 1800, the plates dated 1798, the author says : 

 "But tho' they cannot be reached by a fowling- 

 piece, they are sometimes run down by greyhounds. 

 Being voracious and greedy, they often sacrifice 

 their safety to their appetites; and, as they are 

 generally very fat, they are unable to fly without 

 much preparation. When, therefore, the grey- 

 hounds come within a certain distance, the 

 bustards run off, clap their wings, and endeavour 

 to gather under them air enough to rise. In the 

 meantime the dogs are continually gaining ground, 

 till at last it is too late for flight. However, not- 

 withstanding the sluggishness of their usual pace, 

 they can when in danger run very fast, and once 

 fairly on the wing are able to fly several miles 

 without resting." 



Dr. Brookes says " they take them with grey- 

 hounds, which often catch them before they are 

 able to rise," which, be it observed, would hardly 

 appear to be the same thing as coursing them. 



Lastly, Bewick wrote : ' ' They are slow in 

 taking wing, but run with great rapidity, and 

 when young are sometimes taken with greyhounds, 

 which pursue them with great avidity. The chace 

 is said to afford excellent diversion." And in his 

 woodcut of the great bustard he shows in the 



