Tin: LITTLE in -STAR I). 



tural laborers, plying tln-ir work, and gradually dipping towards the wury l>irds; they walk 

 U-hind <<>. :in.|. in Hi,,., pin into j.m. lii.- ,-V.TV drvio- which their ingenuity. sharpened by 

 .\|*Ti'-M. .-. , .,;, SQfp >i 



Tlie Great Bustard is u..i fund <>( il\ n. having but a alow and deliberate move- 



ment; but on foot it is very swift, and testa the speed of dog and horse before it can be 

 captured. 



The nest if a hole in the ground may be called a nest of this bird is generally made 

 among corn, rye, etc., although it is *>mi>tiiiii>s Miuatd in rather unexpected localities. Tin- 

 HP tn tVO <N Mil'- :M umlMT. ami dl an olive-brown color, splashed with lidit bflOWB, fa 

 which a green tinge ia perceptible. The food of the bird in almost wholly of a vegetable nature, 



LITTU BCVTAKD. Ortt 



though it is said to feed occasionally upon mice, lizards, and other small vertebrates. The 

 flesh of the Bustard is very excellent, but the extreme rarity of these birds prevents it from 

 being often seen upon the tables. When caught young, the Bustard can be readily tann !. 

 and soon becomes quite familiar with those who treat it kindly. 



The head and upper part of the neck are grayish-white, and upon the side of the neck 

 there is a small patch of slaty-blue bare skin, almost concealed by the curious feather tuft 

 which hangs over it. The upper part of the body is pale chestnut, barred with black, and 

 the tail is of similar tints with a white tip, and a very broad black hand next to the white 

 extremity. The wing-coverts, together with the tertials, are whit.-, and the primaries bluck. 

 The under surface of the body is white. The total length of an adult male is about forty-five 

 inches. 



THE LITTLE BUSTARD is an occasional visitor to the northern parts of Europe, and when> 

 ever it does make its appearance, it almost invariably chooses the winter time. 



