The Great Bustard 



^59 



rode back, and on gaining the ridge witnessed this amazing- 

 spectacle. In the hollow, 300 yards away, was a well with the 

 usual cross-bar and jDulley for drawing wnter, and on the cross- 

 bar sat an eagle. Below on the ground stood the wounded 

 bustard, facing-up to a second great eagle, which kept flapping 

 around him, apparently reluctant to attack so huge a bird on 

 the oround and in its then ao^o-ressive attitude, and endeavourino- 

 to force it to Hy. 



So absorbed were both eagles on their quarry that I rode up 

 unnoticed to within 100 yards, and was making ready to fire when 

 the two great birds rose, that from the cross-bar flying away, while 

 the other, not content to 

 resign his prize, circled 

 overhead. In hope that 

 he mio-ht descend I con- 

 cealed myself behind the 

 well, always keeping one 

 eye on the wounded 

 bustard, but presently the 

 eagle had become a mere 

 sj)eck in the heavens. The 

 bustard all this time had 

 remained standing close by, 

 but on my approach it rose 

 quite strongly on wing, 

 and had I not been loaded, might yet have escaped. 



The aggressors were imperial eagles, and in their second 

 attack had no doubt realised that the quarry was already wounded. 

 The first victim had been knocked down, stone-dead, when 

 absolutely sound and strong. 



During summer these birds practically subsist on grass- 

 hoppers, especially those in the heavy wingless stage known as 

 Cigarras 2)cmzonas. These disappear after July, being replaced 

 by smaller and more active varieties, which are equally relished. 

 Once the females commence laying among the spring corn (in 

 April), the cock-bustards assemble in widower packs {toradas) on 

 the fallows, and especially on tnarismas adjacent to corn-land. By 

 September both sexes, with the young, reunite on the stubbles, 

 where we have seen as many as 200 together. 



It is in April that the old barhones attain their full glory and 



DRAW-WELL WITH CROSS-BAR 



