LITTLE BUSTARD. 455 



of these birds going in the direction from east to west ; of 

 all those seen, or of those procured and examined, not a 

 single male had any black on the throat. 



The male assumes his breeding plumage in April, at 

 which time he selects a spot, generally about three feet in 

 diameter, near, or upon, which he passes three or four 

 hours each day. He may be seen with his head and neck 

 crouched, wings somewhat extended and drooping, his tail 

 erect, pouring forth his peculiar note, jumping up at the 

 conclusion of each strain, or call, and striking the ground 

 in a peculiar manner on his descent. 



The nest is on the ground, among herbage which is suffi- 

 ciently high to hide the bird ; the eggs vary in number, 

 according to different authors, from three to five; the 

 colour, of one in my own collection, uniform olive brown ; 

 but I have seen them slightly clouded with patches of 

 darker brown. 



The food of this species consists of herbs, grain, and 

 insects ; in the specimen killed at Harwich, in my own 

 collection, the body of which was examined, the stomach 

 contained parts of leaves of the white turnip, lungwort, 

 dandelion, and a few blades of grass. The flesh had the 

 appearance and flavour of that of a young hen Pheasant. 

 These birds inhabit open countries, and fly with great 

 speed and power. 



The adult male, when in the plumage peculiar to the 

 breeding-season, has the beak brown ; the irides golden 

 yellow ; the top of the head pale chestnut mottled with 

 black ; cheeks, ear-coverts, the front and sides of the neck, 

 bluish grey, bounded inferiorly by a border of black passing 

 to the back of the neck ; below this a narrow white ring 

 all round the neck, and below this a broad collar of black, 

 with a gorget of black, and another of black at the bottom 

 of the neck in front ; shoulders, back, scapulars, tertials, 



