BUSTARD. 103 



hazard, as I never met with any one that has seen them in 

 England in the winter. I believe they are not fond of going 

 near the water, but feed on earth-worms, that are common on 

 sheep-walks and downs. They breed on fallows and lay- 

 fields abounding with grey mossy flints, which much resemble 

 their young in colour, among which they skulk and conceal 

 themselves. They make no nest, but lay their eggs on the 

 bare ground, producing in common but two at a time. There 

 is reason to think their young run soon after they are hatched, 

 and that the old ones do not feed them, but only lead them 

 about at the time of feeding, which, for the most part, is in 

 the night." Thus far my friend. 



In the manners of this bird, you see, there is something very 

 analogous to the bustard, whom it also somewhat resembles in 

 aspect and make, and in the structure of its feet. * 



For a long time I have desired my relation to look out for 

 these birds in Andalusia ; and now he writes me word that, 

 for the first time, he saw one dead in the market, on the 3d of 

 September. 



When the oedicnemus flies, it stretches out its legs straight 

 behind, like a heron. 



LETTER XLI. 



TO THE HON. DAINES HARRINGTON. 



SELBORNE, December 20, 1770. 



DEAR SIR, The birds that I took for aberdavines were 

 reed-sparrows (passeres torquati.*) 



* The bustard is the largest of British birds ; but we fear it is now 

 nearly, if not entirely, extinct in this country. Some years ago, a pair 

 of these, male and female, were kept in a garden at Norwich infirmary. 

 The male was an extremely majestic bird, and possessed of much courage, 

 for he feared nothing, seizing any one who approached near him by the 

 coat. The female, on the contrary, was shy and timid. It was, however, 

 remarkable that the male bird, on discovering even a small hawk, 

 however high in the air, squatted down on the ground, exhibiting 

 strong marks of fear. In 1804, a fine bustard was shot, and taken to 

 Plymouth market, where it was purchased by a publican for a shilling, 

 its value being unknown, whereas it would have brought three or four 

 pounds in the London market. So completely lost was this rare wanderer, 

 that it was rejected at the second table, in consequence of the pectoral 

 muscles differing in colour from the other parts of the breast, which is 

 not unusual in birds of the grouse kind. Some country gentlemen 

 arriving at the inn the following evening, and hearing of the circumstance, 

 desired that the princely bird might be introduced, and partook of it cold 

 at their repast. ED. 



