SPORT IN THE CRIMEA. 13 



up by the gunner in the early summer whilst still 

 young, as they hide separately or in small coveys in 

 the deep undergrowth. But the only time when any 

 quantity are exposed in the bazaar for sale is in the 

 depths of winter. Then when a snowstorm has 

 caught the birds hiding in the valleys, and clogged 

 their wings with snow, which a bitter wind still 

 more surely binds about them, these poor denizens 

 of the desert are surrounded and driven like a flock 

 of sheep into the Tartar villages, where they are 

 butchered, and thence sent in cartloads into Kertch, 

 to be sold at a rouble and a half (3s. G<7.) apiece. 



After slaying the bustards, having done enough 

 for glory, we have time to remember a thirst that 

 would empty a samovar and an appetite that would 

 astonish a negro. Gladly we hurry back to our 

 little tent in a cleft at the foot of the hills, and 

 while one unpacks the cold meats, dried sturgeon 

 and caviare, another gets water for that tea without 

 which our repast would be poor indeed to a Rus- 

 sian. Being born and bred Englishmen, two of us 

 might well have been expected to prefer our native 

 beer to tea, but it is wonderful how fond men get 

 of the delicious tea brewed in Russia, with its slip of 

 lemon in it to add piquancy to the flavour. For 

 my own part, after really severe exertion I am most 

 thoroughly convinced it is by far the best restora- 

 tive you can take, and one which I should prefer to 

 any other liquid whatever. Try as you will you 



