THE RETURN OF THE GREAT BUSTARD 291 



the young rye in Norfolk. They usually do not lay 

 more than two or sometimes three eggs, and nest early, 

 at the end of April. The eggs are thus liable to be 

 destroyed when the corn is rolled, or taken by the 

 labourers employed in hoeing, risks more common, 

 probably, in this country than in Spain. While the hen 

 birds are sitting in the corn, the male bustards stalk 

 about in the cattle pastures. * Many of these fields 

 barely afford sufficient covert to conceal a lark ; here 

 these splendid birds may be observed in all their glory 

 of perfect nuptial plumage, and conscious strength and 

 beauty, stalking about with a stealthy and deliberate 

 gait, and showing off, apparently from pure pride ot 

 life, in turkey-cock fashion.' 



A cleverly-stuffed cock bustard at the Natural 

 History Museum at South Kensington shows this 

 curious nuptial display of the bird. It is a very 

 large male, which weighed 37 lb., and was presented 

 by Mr. Abel Chapman. The head is buried in the 

 neck, which is greatly inflated ; the ' beard ' is brought 

 up on either side of the head ; and the tail and wings 

 seem to have been turned inside out and arranged over 

 its back. Beneath the outer brown and black feathers 

 are beautifully-curved pure white ones, both in wings 

 and tail, which cover the whole of the back, as if 

 arranged by a feat her -dresser. Lord Lilford's experi- 

 ences may be supplemented from some interesting 



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