BUFFED BUSTARD. 157 



"When a Bustard is descried, the whole calvalcade instantly halt; 

 the Hawk on the wrist is transferred to the hand of his master, who, 

 attended by his falconers alone, instantly sets off, and unhooding his 

 bird, throws him from his wrist towards the Bustard. Much skill is 

 exercised in drawing the attention of the Falcon to the Bustard before 

 it rises. Should it unfortunately take wing before its pursuer has 

 poised herself above it, an ill-trained or impetuous bird is very apt 

 to strike it in the air. This, according to the view of your desert 

 connoisseur, is a most unpardonable and unsportsman-like offence, to 

 be punished with death. A skilful Hawk will at once rise to a con- 

 siderable height, thence swooping down, make feints until the Bustard 

 takes to its legs instead of its wings. The Falcon then poises herself 

 over it, while a second is flung off the wrist, and the two together 

 give chase, the speed of the Houbara being such that a fleet Arab 

 can scarcely keep up with the pursuit. 



"The poor bird runs along, aiding its speed by a perpetual 

 fanning with its wings, its head stretched forward like a Corncrake's, 

 and its conspicuous black and white ruff folded closely back over its 

 neck — a pitiable contrast to the proud fellow who was lately 

 strutting with head erect, elevated crest, and expanded ruff, 

 challenging all comers. The pursuers hang over him — only a few 

 yards above him; and at each effort he makes to take wing, swoop 

 down with a feint. It is considered the excellency of a Falcon to 

 make these feints at a quarry until it is nearly exhausted, when the 

 fatal swoop is made, and the bird instantly drops, struck dead by 

 the hind claw having pierced its spine. This manner of hawking is 

 probably practised both to afford more prolonged excitement to the 

 horseman, but chiefly from the mode of self-defence adopted by the 

 Houbara, and which I have had various opportunities of observing 

 myself. As the Hawk aj^proaches, the Houbara ejects both from 

 the mouth and vent a slimy fluid. A well-trained bird eludes this 

 shower by repeated feints until the quarry's supply of moisture is 

 exhausted; an impatient one rushes in and gets his feathers and 

 whole plumage so bedaubed, that his flight is materially impeded, 

 and his swoop, when made, is irresolute." 



"With a leash of Falcons, two Haggards, and a Tiercel Saker, I 

 have known three Houbaras and a Sand Grouse or two captured in 

 a day, and the chase was terminated merely on account of the 

 fatigue of the horses. I was never actually present at the chase of 

 the gazelle, but it is very commonly practised, and I have seen a 

 gazelle brought into camp that had been so taken. This sport, 

 however, requires more birds, and is very dangerous to the Falcons, 



