378 GREAT BUSTARD. Class 11. 



those large earth worms that appear in great 

 quantities on the Downs, before sun-rising in 

 the summer. These are replete with moisture, 

 answer the purpose of liquids, and enable them 

 to live long without drinking on those extensive 

 and dry tracts. Besides this, nature hath given 

 ■ " ^ the males an admirable magazine for their se- 

 curity against drought, being a pouch,*' whose 

 entrance lies immediately under the tongue, and 

 which is capable of holding near seven pints ; 

 and this they probably fill with water, to supply 

 the hen when sitting, or the young before they 

 can fly. Bustards lay only two eggs, of the 

 • size of those of a goose, of a pale olive brown, 

 marked with spots of a darker color ; they make 

 no nest, only scrape a hole in the ground. In 

 autumn they are (in Wiltshire) generally found 

 in large turnep fields near the Downs, and in 

 flocks of fifty or more. 



[The Bustard still retaining its antient name 

 Otii, is found in all the great plains of Greece. 



Ed.] . . :. :, ... . . . _ 



* The world is obliged to the late Dr. Douglas for this disco- 

 very 5 and to Mr. Edwards for communicating it. 



