THE GREAT BUSTARD. 



39 



The scene of operations must be reached as soon after day- 

 break as possible, which necessitates an early start and a long 

 matutinal ride; for bustards feed morning and evening, 

 and during the midday hours lie down for a siesta among 

 the corn or rough herbage, when it is mere chance work 

 finding them on so vast an area. Hence an early start is 

 necessary. When likely corn-lands are reached, one man 

 advances to reconnoitre : having descried a band of 

 bustards and taken a comprehensive view of the surround- 

 ing country, he must at once decide on his line of action. 





GREAT BUSTARD—" ECHAKDO LA RUEDA. 



The bustards are perhaps a mile away : the leader must 

 therefore have a " good eye for a country " — much, hi 

 fact, depends on his rapid intuition of the lie of the land 

 and local circumstances, his knowledge of the habits and 

 flights of the birds, and his ability to utilize the smallest 

 natural advantages of ground or cover — small indeed 

 these are sure to be, invisible to untrained eye. The first 

 great object is to bring the guns, unseen, as near the game 

 as possible. If any miscalculation occurs, and the 

 advancing sportsmen expose themselves for a moment, 



