6 cassell's book of birds. 



and the foot straw-colour. The length of this species is from eighteen to nineteen inches, its breadth 

 thirty-six inches, the wing measures ten and the tail five inches. The female is smaller than her mate, 

 and has the side of her head of a yellowish hue ; her throat is whitish ; breast light yellow, striped 

 with black ; the spots upon her mantle are more clearly defined than in the plumage of the male ; the 

 feathers of" her upper wing-covers are white spotted with black ; her under side is white. The Little 

 Bustard is met with principally in the southern parts of Europe, extending from the south of France, 

 over Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain ; it is particularly numerous in Sardinia, and is seen in large 

 flocks upon the steppes of Southern Russia, particularly during the migratory season. According 

 to Yarrell, this bird can only be regarded as an accidental or winter visitor to Great Britain, it 

 having been killed here only between autumn and the middle of spring. The nest or eggs have 

 never been found in the British Islands. In the course of its migrations, it occasionally visits 

 the country round the Altai Mountains, and Syria. During our stay in Egypt, we saw but a single 

 specimen. Unlike the larger species, the Little Bustard is not restricted to flat and open districts, 

 but frequently inhabits mountainous regions ; in Spain it principally occupies vineyards, wherever 

 these may be situated. Although closely resembling the species last described in many respects, it 

 yet differs from it considerably in the ease and comparative lightness of its movements. Its gait 

 is more graceful, and its pace extraordinarily rapid; its flight is swift and capable of being long- 

 sustained. In disposition it is cautious, but by no means so shy as the Great Bustard : if disturbed 

 it seeks safety by squatting close to the giound among the grass or brushwood ; and its voice is 

 seldom heard except during the period of incubation. Insects, worms, beetles, grasshoppers, larvae, 

 and occasionally portions of plants or seeds constitute the food of this species ; the young probably 

 are reared exclusively on insect diet. The breeding season commences about the end of April, 

 and is inaugurated by violent battles between the male birds ; the eggs, from four to five in number, 

 are about the size of those of the Domestic Fowl, and have a glossy yellowish brown or yellowish green 

 shell more or less distinctly spotted with reddish brown ; they are deposited in a slight hollow 

 on the ground. The male seldom goes to any great distance from his mate whilst she is brooding, 

 and beguiles the time by making short undulating flights in her immediate vicinity. We are almost 

 without particulars respecting the rearing of the young. 



The HOUBARAS (Hubara) constitute a distinct group, comprising but two species, both of 

 which have been found in Europe. The distinguishing characteristics of these birds are their long 

 beak, short foot, the crest upon their head, and the beautiful collar that adorns their neck. 



THE INDIAN HOUBARA. 

 The Indian Houbara (Hubara Macquenii) is an inhabitant of Southern Asia, -and from thence 

 has occasionally visited Central Europe and even England. Upon the brow and sides of the head 

 the plumage is of a reddish grey, powdered with brown ; the long crest is black in front and white 

 behind ; the feathers on the nape are whitish, striped with brown and grey, and those on the back 

 ochre-yellow delicately pencilled, and in some parts spotted with "black ; the throat is white above 

 and brown below ; the upper breast grey, and the belly yellowish white. The collar is composed of 

 long streaming feathers situated on both sides of the neck ; of these the lower ones are white, those 

 higher up white with black tips and base, whilst those at the top are entirely black. The quills have 

 white roots and black tips ; the tail is of a reddish shade delicately spotted and decorated with 

 two stripes ; the eye is bright yellow ; the beak slate-grey ; and the foot greenish yellow. According 

 to Jerdon, the length of the male varies from twenty-five to thirty inches, and its breadth from four 

 to five feet; the wing measures from fourteen to fifteen, and the tail from nine to ten inches. 



