284 PHEASANTS AND BUSTARDS. 



This boldness is not always confined to the domestic 

 tenants of the farm-yard. The following instances prove that 

 even the wild Pheasant of the woods, and the still more shy 

 and solitary Bustard of the plains, can occasionally lay aside 

 their fear of the human race, and fight as fierce a battle as 

 this Game Cock. 



A young lady walking alone, a few miles from Stirling, 

 observed a beautiful cock Pheasant perched on a stone by the 

 road-side. Instead of showing timidity at her approach, he 

 flew down upon her, and with spurs and beak began a furious 

 assault. Being closely pursued, and seeing no way of 

 escape from the enraged bird, she adopted the only alterna- 

 tive that was left namely, of seizing her adversary, whom 

 she carried home, but soon afterwards released. On the door 

 being opened, however, he went out without any sign of fear, 

 and, with a deliberate step, paced backwards and forwards in 

 front of the house, and manifested an inclination to join the 

 fowls in the poultry-yard. It should be remarked, that the 

 young lady, when attacked, wore a scarlet mantle, which 

 probably excited the irritability of the Pheasant, as it is 

 well known to do that of the Turkey-cock and some other 

 animals. 



The case of the Bustard occurred some years ago on 

 Tilshead downs, in Wiltshire, in the month of June, to a man 

 who was going along the road on horseback, about four 

 o'clock in the morning. His attention was first turned to a 

 large bird flying above his head, which proved to be a 

 Bustard, though till then he had scarcely ever heard of such 

 a bird. He had not proceeded far before it had alighted on 

 the ground, immediately in front of the horse, which it soon- 

 showed signs of attacking, and in a few seconds began the 

 onset. The rider dismounted with all speed, and, getting 

 hold of the Bustard, endeavoured to secure it, in which, after 

 a long and severe struggle, he succeeded, and carried it to 

 the house of the person to whom he was going, where it was 

 confined. During the first week it was not known to eat 

 anything ; but, finally, it became very tame, and would take 

 food from the hands of those accustomed to feed it, though 



