346 WILD SPAIN. 



explained cause — their extreme shyness and acute senses 

 of sight and hearing are the only explanation — before the 

 guns and drivers have reached their respective points. 

 Or, even if the pack is enclosed within the deadly circle, 

 they will still sometimes manage to escape by springing 

 up high in air, and passing out at impossible altitudes. 



During the fiery heats of summer these birds may be 

 shot by the artifice of the bullock-cart — already described 

 in the chapter on Great Bustard — or be exhausted by 

 repeated flights ; but neither of these plans possess the 

 merits of really attractive sport, while the second involves 

 hard work under a heat that few men can stand. 



There are, however, times when the Little Bustard may 

 be secured upon easier lines. Upon occasion, in autumn, 

 they become so enamoured of certain spots, beguiled by 

 the plentiful supply of grain scattered around the eras, 

 or levelled threshing-grounds out in the open field, that, 

 like greedy blackcocks on a Northumbrian stubble, they 

 ''take a haunt" (toman la querencia), and allow them- 

 selves, evening after evening, to be surprised and shot. 

 This, however, is not a regular habit as with the black- 

 cocks, but rather an exceptional case. 



Standing, partially concealed by my horse, near one of 

 these eras, on one occasion a band of Little Bustards 

 passed so near and in such close order that three brace 

 fell to the two barrels. On another memorable autumn 

 afternoon I bagged, under similar conditions, eight of these 

 bustards, besides four of the larger kind, the former all 

 shot as they flew in at dusk towards an open threshing- 

 ground. 



The sportsman on the plains is frequently apprised of a 

 passing band of Little Bustards by the peculiar hissing 

 sound made by their wings in flight, different from that of 

 any other bird, but most resembling the rustle of the 

 Golden-eye ; but they are rarely so confiding as to pass 

 within shot. The birds seen in the markets are, however, 

 obtained, in nine cases out of ten, at such chance 

 moments. 



In conclusion, we repeat, that whilst against every other 



