258 Unexplored Spain 
I had hoped to exploit this in passing. Hardly had we entered 
upon the corn-lands than we espied fifteen bustard, a quarter-mile 
away on the right. The rough bridle-track being worn slightly 
hollow and no better cover appearing, I decided to “ flatten” on the 
spot, sending my two men to ride round beyond the game, which, 
being in a dip, was now below my range of sight. In due course 
the bustards appeared, winging directly towards me, but alighting 
in front when already almost in shot. Feeling practically certain 
of them now, since | could hear the shouts of the beaters beyond, 
I raised myself slightly, only to see, to my utter chagrin, the 
bustards flying off in diametrically the opposite direction while 
simultaneously a hissing sound from be- 
hind and overhead caused me to glance 
upwards. <A black object hurtling earth- 
ward through space, shot diagonally past 
me—this I mistook as merely a peregrine 
pursuing some hare that had been dis- 
turbed by the beaters. But on hastening 
forward over the ridge, I perceived one of 
the beaters riding up with a dead bustard 
across his saddle—a female, with a great 
gaping gash in her side. The beaters re- 
oi Fe ene ported that just as they flushed the bustard 
/ a second time an eagle had swept down 
upon them, knocked down this one, aud sent the rest, scattered in 
wild disorder, over their heads. Paco had then galloped up to 
within a few yards before the eagle reluctantly abandoned its prize 
and sailed aloft. Continuing our interrupted journey, half a mile 
ahead another pack of bustard was descried, and while rapidly 
surveying the situation, yet another lot appeared on wing, flying 
from the right. These last, we instantly concluded both from 
their direction and also by the curiously unsettled style of 
their flight, were a part of the band which had recently 
been attacked by the eagle. Under such circumstances I 
realised that (though I was mounted and in full view) they 
might yet pass within shot, so, jumping from the horse, | 
fired at the nearest old cock-bustard and distinctly saw blood 
spirt from his snow-white breast. He flew slowly away with 
ever lowering flight, finally disappearing over a crest close by 
the scene of our first drive. Confident of gathering him, we 
