254 OTIDID.E. 



to be seen in gradually increasing numbers all along the vega of 

 the Laguna de la Janda up to Casas Viejas and along by Medina 

 Sidonia to the plains which lie towards Jerez and the marisma 

 of the Guadalquivir. They are found in abundance along the 

 line of railway to near Utrera, being more plentiful in the open 

 corn-growing country about Marchena, Coronil, and Carmona 

 than in any other district that I have visited ; thence to the 

 north side of the Guadalquivir they are also common, particularly 

 about Brenes and Alcala del Rio, sometimes appearing very near 

 to Seville in fact in all open country the Great Bustard may be 

 ^expected to be seen in varying numbers. I never saw any very 

 large flocks, but occasionally have observed as many as fifty 

 together ; from ten to twenty-five is the usual number seen at 

 once. I did not detect any migration of the Great Bustard, 

 which is singular, as in the Crimea some very large flights 

 appeared on passage in autumn; however, doubtless they 

 migrate, as they are occasionally seen, and in 189 two were shot 

 very near Gibraltar ; certainly they shift their ground in Spain, 

 as they are most numerous about the vega of La Janda during 

 the breeding-season, which tends to the belief that they pass over 

 to the African side of the Straits. In a wild state they feed 

 chiefly on grass and vegetable substances ; and when kept tame 

 they will devour any amount of grasshoppers, insects, &c., the 

 best food for them, however, being cabbage-leaves. 



Bustards are very difficult to approach except by some such 

 stratagem as driving a cart near them, when they seem to fear 

 no danger ; but the best way of obtaining them is by driving 

 when the corn is sufficiently high to shelter the guns, which it 

 usually is by the end of March. It is necessary to have for a 

 Bustard-drive, with any chance of success, at least four guns ; the 

 more the better ; and as the birds fly almost always well within 

 shot of the ground, they are very easily killed if they pass over 

 the spot where a gun is posted. Indeed, considering the size of 

 the bird, it is wonderful how light a wound will bring one down. 



