Bustards. 401 



of rivers where there is long grass mixed 

 with bushes, or the edges of large tanks, 

 or low jungle where there is moderately 

 high grass, or it wanders to some district 

 where there is more grass ; for though 

 they do not migrate, yet Bustards change 

 their ground much according to the 

 season, and the supply of grasshoppers 

 and other insects. The hen birds, re- 

 marks the writer quoted above, generally 

 congregate together during the rains, are 

 very timid, and frequently when a sports- 

 man is pursuing a single one, she will 

 attempt to seek safety, fatally for herself, 

 in some large bush, particularly if the 

 gunner turn aside his head and affect not 

 to see her at the moment of hiding. 

 The cock birds at this season feed a mile 

 or so apart from the hens, and stretching 

 their magnificent white necks, stride along 

 most pompously. . . . The Bustard is 

 polygamous, and at the breeding season, 

 which varies very greatly according to the 

 district, from October to March, the male 

 struts about on some eminence, puffing 

 out the feathers of his neck and throat, 

 expanding his tail and ruffling his wings, 

 uttering now and then a low deep moan- 

 ing call heard a great way off. ... The 

 Bustard has another call heard not un 



26 



