338 WILD SPAIN. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

 SOME FURTHEE NOTES ON THE GREAT BUSTARD. 



HIS NATURAL HISTORY AND HABITS. 



Is the Great Bustard polygamous or not "? We have 

 watched these birds in early spring-time, following eveiy 

 movement, and at quarters close enough, with the binocular, 

 to distinguish the very feathers : we have inquired of 

 the best and keenest bustard-shooters on the Spanish 

 plains — men who ought to know — and yet are unable to 

 give a positive opinion. The best ornithological authorities 

 are also silent on the point, or treat it in doubtful terms. 



The Andalucian Bustards may be divided into two 

 classes : — (1) Those which inhabit the undulating corn- 

 lands extending from Jerez and Utrera eastwards — by 

 Marchena and Osuiia — to Bobadilla and the borders of 

 Malaga province, which race is stationari/ throughout the 

 year ; and (2) the Bustards of the marisma, or flat delta 

 of Guadalquivir and other great rivers, which seasonally 

 shift their ground. 



The corn-land Bustards (as we will call them for dis- 

 tinction) are altogether a finer and heavier race than those 

 of the marismas, scaling commonly twenty-nine, thirty, 

 and thirty-one pounds — some huge old harhones exceeding 

 even this great weight ; while birds of the semi-migratory 

 race run from twenty-four to twenty-six or -seven pounds, 

 rarely reaching twenty-eight, and show less of the 

 magnificent ruff-development which, in spring, charac- 

 terizes the old males of the campinas of Jerez. 



All the year round these latter are to be seen on the 

 same grounds. During the months of February and 



