158 HISTORY OF 



to screen the sportsman, nor hedges to creep 

 along, the bustards enjoy an indolent security. 

 Their food is composed of the berries that grow 

 among the heath, and the large earth-worms that 

 appear in great quantities on the downs before 

 sun-rising in summer. It is in vain that the fowler 

 creeps forward to approach them ; they have al- 

 ways sentinels placed at proper eminences, which 

 are ever on the watch, and warn the flock of the 

 smallest appearance of danger. All therefore that 

 is left the sportsman, is the comfortless view of 

 their distant security. He may wish, but they 

 are in safety. 



It sometimes happens that these birds, though 

 they are seldom shot by the gun, are often run 

 down by greyhounds. As they are voracious 

 and greedy, they often sacrifice their safety to 

 their appetite, and feed themselves so very fat, 

 that they are unable to fly without great prepa- 

 ration. When the greyhound, therefore, comes 

 within a certain distance, the bustard runs off 

 flapping its wings, and endeavouring to gather 

 air enough under them to rise ; in the mean 

 time the enemy approaches nearer and nearer, 

 till it is too late for the bird even to think of ob- 

 taining safety by flight ; for just at the rise there 

 is always time lost, and of this the bird is sensi- 

 ble ; it continues, therefore, on the foot until it 

 has got a sufficient way before the dog for flight, 

 or until it is taken. 



As there are few places where they can at once 

 find proper food and security, so they generally 

 continue near their old haunts, seldom wander- 



