28 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL SIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXI. 



bird and has no difficulty in taking wing, at once springing up 

 into the air without first taking a step or two, and appears to 

 prefer taking safety in flight rather than by making use of its legs. 

 When it flies it stretches out its neck and legs and is thus easily 

 distinguishable ...... Early in Spring, according to the mild- 

 ness of the season, they commence to prepare for the cares of 

 nidification ; and the flocks then by degrees break up. The males 

 fight desperately for the possession of the females, and may at that 

 season of the year be seen strutting about, acting not unlike a 

 Turkeycock." 



As regards its flight all authors do not agree with Dresser, and 

 some have remarked that this Bustard has to run a step or two 

 before it can raise itself on the wing. Probably a good deal 

 depends on the breeze, as a headwind would help the bird to get 

 the use of his wings at once. Also, a bird suddenly startled, would 

 ase an extra effort and start into flight from where it stood, whereas a 

 bird rising under ordinary circumstances might take matters more 

 leisurely and run a pace or two before exerting itself to take to 

 flight. 



CoL Verner says that " The flight of the Great Bustard is 

 extraordinarily quick and without effort. Before they take wing 

 they simply walk for a few paces — no attempt at a run — and, 

 opening their white wings, flap away in what appear to be a most 

 leisurely manner. Save when there is a strong wind, or when 

 coming off" higher ground, they rarely fly more than thirty yards 

 above the grounds, and hence, when they take the right direction, 

 afford good driving shots. Nothing, however, is more deceptive 

 than the pace they fly at, for owing to the steady beats of their 

 immense pinions, some 8 ft. across, they seem to the eye to be 

 moving slowly; but they are not. 



" To appreciate the extraordinary speed they travel at it is 

 necessary to have a bird pass close over one. More than once 

 when lying absolutely prone on my face amid a few dead thistles 

 . a Great Bustard has passed only a few yards over my 

 lair, at times coming from behind or from some unexpected 

 quarter whilst all one's energies were concentrated in the direction 

 whence the driven birds were expected. On such occasions before 



