BULLET AND SHOT 



or in pairs, and occasionally in small parties of 

 three or four ; I once, however, saw a great gather- 

 ing of them, numbering, if memory serves me 

 truly, about twenty-seven. 



In Canarese the bustard is called Arlkugina 

 hukki, i.e., the bird which calls like a man, on 

 account of the noise which he makes, and which 

 is audible at a great distance. By the use of a 

 covered bullock cart, it is usually practicable to 

 approach bustard within easy range for a rifle, 

 and I have shot them thus, when antelope shooting 

 with a '360 express. Bustard are polygamous, the 

 breeding season varying in different parts of India 

 from October to March. The hen apparently lays 

 but one egg. 



THE HOUBARA (Houbara Macqueent) 



This small bustard, which weighs only from 

 4 to 5j Ibs., is migratory, not breeding in India 

 proper. It is found in the Punjab, Rajputana, 

 Northern Guzerat, Cutch, Northern Kathiawar, 

 and Sind. Large bags of houbara are sometimes 

 made from the back of a camel driven in ever- 

 decreasing circles round and round each bird which 

 has been viewed. 



THE BENGAL FLORICAN (Sypheotis Bengalensis) 



This fine game bird is akin to the bustard, 

 possessing, like the latter, only three toes. It is 

 found in Eastern Bengal, Assam, the Bhootan duars, 

 and parts of the North -West Provinces. I have 



382 



