ITS HABITS. 365 



The bustard is a cunning and shy bird. It always keeps 

 to open ground, and far away from bushes, fences, &c. In 

 the summer it will not readily take wing, but endeavours to 

 elude its pursuers by means of its wonderful rapidity of foot ; 

 what with wings and legs together, it scuttles along at a 

 most extraordinary pace. When at this season it is desirous 

 of flying, it is compelled first to run a long way before it 

 can rise from the ground ; but once fairly on the wing, its 

 flight, which is low and short, is attended with less trouble. 

 In the autumn, on the other hand, it rises with facility into 

 the air, and then flies high, and to a distance. 



The pairing season with the bustard is in April and May. 

 Desperate battles then take place amongst the males : the 

 tail of the bird is raised, and spread out in the manner of a 

 fan, the wings hang down to the ground, and they charge 

 each other like turkey-cocks. The strongest collects about 

 him the largest harem, and pairing takes place in the same 

 amusing way as with turkeys. The female lays two to 

 three olive-grey eggs, marked with red and liver- brown 

 spots, in a hole which she scratches in the ground. The 

 period of incubation is said to be twenty-eight days. So 

 soon as the young are hatched, they are forthwith capable 

 of following the mother. 



The methods adopted for capturing the bustard are various. 

 From its extremely shy nature, and from always keeping to 

 the open country, it is not easy of approach. Of wayfaring 

 people, however, it seems to have little apprehension; and 

 the usual plan therefore is for the sportsman either to clothe 

 himself like a peasant, or to put on female apparel ; and with 

 a basket on his back, and holding the gun close by his side, 

 to make up to it. Sometimes, also, the birds are chased 



