94 PHEASANTS AND BUSTARDS. 



whom she carried home, hut soon afterwards released; 

 on the door heing opened, however, he went out 

 without any sign of fear, and, with a deliberate step, 

 paced backwards and forwards in front of the house, 

 and manifested an inclination to join the fowls in 

 the poultry-yard. It should be remarked, that the 

 young lady, when attacked, wore a scarlet mantle, 

 which probably excited the irritability of the Phea- 

 sant, as it is well known to do that of the Turkey- 

 cock, and some other animals. 



The case of the Bustard occurred some years ago, 

 on Tilshead downs, in Wiltshire, in the month of 

 June, to a man, who was going along the road on 

 horseback, about four o'clock in the morning. His 

 attention was first turned to a large bird flying above 

 his head, which proved to be a Bustard, though till 

 then he had scarcely ever heard of such a bird. He 

 had not proceeded far, before it alighted on the 

 ground immediately in front of the horse, which it 

 soon showed signs of attacking, and in a few seconds 

 began the onset. The rider dismounted with all 

 speed, and, getting hold of the Bustard, endeavoured 

 to secure it, in which, after a long and severe strug- 

 gle, he succeeded, and carried it to the house of the 

 person to whom he was going, where it was confined. 

 During the first week, it was not known to eat any- 

 thing; but finally, it became very tame, and would 

 take food from the hands of those accustomed to 

 feed it, though it still continued shy in the presence 

 of strangers. From the time of its capture in June, 

 till August, when it was sold to a nobleman for 

 thirty-one guineas, it was never seen to drink ; 

 indeed, after the first three weeks, water was never 



