THE BUSTARD. 47 



above two quarts of water ; the entrance of which is immedi- 

 ately under the tongue. This singular reservoir was first dis- 

 covered by Dr. Douglas, who supposes that the bird fills it with 

 water to supply its thirst in the midst of those extensive plains 

 where it is accustomed to wander : it likewise makes a further 

 use of it in defending itself against the attacks of birds of prey ; 

 on these occasions it throws out the water with such violence, as 

 not un frequently to baffle the pursuit of its enemy; 



This bird makes no nest ; but the female lays her eggs in 

 some hole in the ground, in a dry corn-field ; these are two in 

 number, as big as those of a goose, and of a pale olive brown, 

 marked with spots of a deeper colour. If, during her absence 

 from the nest, any one handles or even breathes upon the eggs, 

 she immediately abandons them. The young follow the dam 

 soon after they are excluded from the egg, but are not capable 

 for some time of flying. 



Bustards are, I believe, confined to the old continent, and a 

 few of its adjacent islands; and feed on green corn, the tops of 

 turnips, and various other vegetables, as well as on worms ; but 

 they have been known to eat frogs, mice, and young birds of 

 the smaller kind, which they swallow whole. They are remark- 

 able for their great timidity ; carefully avoiding mankind, and 

 being easily driven away in whole herds by the smallest dog. 



In England they are now and then met with in flocks of fifty 

 or more : they frequent the open countries of the south and 

 east parts, from Dorsetshire as far as the wolds in Yorkshire, 

 and are often seen on Salisbury plain. They are slow in taking 

 wing, but run with great rapidity ; and the young ones are even 

 sometimes coursed and taken by greyhounds. 



