THE BUSTARD. 



OF the Bustard tribe there are about twelve 

 species, most of which are inhabitants of Eu- 

 rope. They have bills somewhat convex, long 

 legs, naked above the knees, and only three 

 toes, all of which are placed forward. The 

 Great Bustard is a native of England, and is 

 the largest of the land fowls of that country, 

 the male sometimes weighing upwards of twen- 

 ty-five pounds. The male of this variety differs 

 in one remarkable respect from the female ; 

 which is, in being furnished with a pouch in the 

 fore part of the neck, capable of containing 

 above two quarts of water. This water the 

 animal can eject with such violence as not un- 

 frequently to baffle the attacks of birds of prey. 

 The Bustard is nearly four feet in length, and 

 nine in breadth. Its neck is a foot long, and 

 its legs eighteen inches. The head and neck 

 of the male are ash coloured; the back is 



(66) 



