Birds of Britain 

 THE GREAT BUSTARD 



Otis tarda, Linnaeus 



In the early part of the sixteenth century the Great 

 Bustard was well known and widely distributed throughout the 

 moors and plains of England and the lowlands of Scotland. 

 The increasing population, and cultivation of waste lands, 

 gradually diminished localities suitable to its habits, and in 

 1838 the last eggs of our indigenous birds were taken. 



At intervals irregular wanderers still occur in different 

 parts of our islands, and several attempts to reintroduce this 

 fine species in recent years have failed. In Spain, parts of 

 Germany, and Southern Kussia, this species is still to be 

 found as a resident and breeding bird, but over the rest of 

 Europe it is only known as an irregular visitor. 



The male has the head bluish grey ; rest of upper parts 

 brownish buff, barred with black ; wing coverts white ; quills 

 blackish. Breast banded with chestnut and grey; belly 

 white. Length 43 in. ; wing 24 in. 



The female is smaller and lacks the band on the breast 



THE LITTLE BUSTARD 



Otis tetrax, Linnaeus 



The Little Bustard is only a scarce visitor, and has most 

 frequently occurred on our southern and eastern coasts. It 



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