4t> BRITISH BIRDS. WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS 



females resorted to Great Massingham Heath and deposited their eggs, which 

 were taken away under the impression that as there was no male bird they would 

 not be fertile. Later in the century occasional specimens, generally females, put 

 in an appearance in this country from time to time. Mr. Dresser enumerates 

 several, and writing of a specimen killed near Feltham, in Middlesex, on the aoth 

 of January, 1871, he states: "I had the satisfaction of examining it in the flesh 

 when it was brought to the Zoological Society's rooms by Mr. Tegetmeier, who 

 exhibited it at a meeting of that Society." 



The bird does not appear ever to be common in the north of Europe, at all 

 events it is now never met with in either Norway or Sweden. It is rare in 

 Poland, and has but seldom been obtained in Denmark. Its chief breeding place 

 is in the south of Europe, more especially in the Peninsula. Lord Lilford says 

 that " The Bustard is very abundant, and more or less resident, in the great 

 plains of Central and Southern Spain, where it is not much esteemed as an article 

 of food, and I hope likely to hold its own for many years to come. 



No amount of legitimate and sportsmanlike pursuit can materially affect the 

 ' breed ' of Bustards in Spain ; and, in my opinion, Bustard-driving is excellent 

 sport, and the young birds very excellent food, whilst even the flesh of old males, 

 who are of course the principal desiderata from the sportsman's point of view, can 

 be rendered into most palatable soup and Spain is a hungry country. Vast 

 numbers of Bustards are said to exist in the southern provinces of Russia, in 

 Europe, as well as in Hungary and European Turkey : in fact the bird is, or has 

 been, tolerably common in all parts of Europe that are suitable to its habits." 



Under all conditions the Great Bustard frequents wide open plains, and avoids 

 all localities where there are trees and bushes which prevent it obtaining an 

 uninterrupted view over the country. No bird existing is more shy and wary, and 

 on foot it is almost impossible to approach it within gun-shot range, as it is never 

 found in the woodlands or forests, and avoids mountainous or hilly districts. It 

 is so watchful and wakeful that it is almost impossible to surprise the flocks even 

 when they are asleep. Though a heavy bird it flies with much more ease than 

 could be imagined, springing up at once into the air and taking flight at the 

 least alarm. It is easily recognized when in flight by its appearance, its neck 

 and legs being stretched out at full length. 



The food of the adult Bustard consists in great part of vegetable substances, 

 but Mr. Chapman writes of the charming spectacle that it is in summer time to 

 watch a pack of Bustards about sun-set, all busy with their evening food among 

 the grass-hoppers on a thistle-covered plain. He says they are working against 

 time, before it is too dark for them to catch their lively prey. " With a quick 



