338 WILD SPAIN. 



CHAPTEE XXX. 



SOME FUKTHEB NOTES ON THE GEEAT BUSTAED. 

 HIS NATURAL HISTORY AND HABITS. 



Is the Great Bustard polygamous or not ? We have 

 watched these birds in early spring-time, following every 

 movement, and at quarters close enough, with the binocular, 

 to distinguish the very feathers : we have inquired of 

 the best and keenest bustard-shooters on the Spanish 

 plains — men who ought to know — and yet are unable to 

 give a positive opinion. The best ornithological authorities 

 are also silent on the point, or treat it in doubtful terms. 



The Andalucian Bustards may be divided into two 

 classes : — (1) Those which inhabit the undulating corn- 

 lands extending from Jerez and Utrera eastwards — by 

 Marchena and Osuna — to Bobadilla and the borders of 

 Malaga province, which race is stationary throughout the 

 year ; and (2) the Bustards of the marisma, or flat delta 

 of Guadalquivir and other great rivers, which seasonally 

 shift their ground. 



The corn-land Bustards (as we will call them for dis- 

 tinction) are altogether a finer and heavier race than those 

 of the marismas, scaling commonly twenty-nine, thirty, 

 and thirty-one pounds — some huge old barbones exceeding 

 even this great weight ; while birds of the semi-migratory 

 race run from twenty-four to twenty-six or -seven pounds, 

 rarely reaching twenty-eight, and show less of the 

 magnificent ruff-development which, in spring, charac- 

 terizes the old males of the campifias of Jerez. 



All the year round these latter are to be seen on the 

 same grounds. During the months of February and 



