The Great Bustard 250 
rode back, and on gaining the ridge witnessed this amazing 
spectacle. In the hollow, 300 yards away, was a well with the 
usual cross-bar and pulley for drawing water, and on the cross- 
bar sat an eagle. Below on the ground stood the wounded 
bustard, facing-up to a second great eagle, which kept flapping 
around him, apparently reluctant to attack so huge a bird on 
the ground and in its then aggressive attitude, and endeavouring 
to force it to fly. 
So absorbed were both eagles on their quarry that I rode up 
unnoticed to within 100 yards, and was making ready to fire when 
the two great birds rose, that from the cross-har flying away, while 
the other, not content to 
resion his prize, circled 
overhead. In hope that 
he might descend I con- 
cealed myself behind the 
well, always keeping one 
eye on the wounded 
bustard, but presently the 
eagle had become a mere 
speck in the heavens. The 
bustard all this time had 
remained standing close by, 
but on my approach it rose DRAW-WELL WITH CROSS-BAR 
quite strongly on wing, 
and had I not been loaded, might yet have escaped. 
The aggressors were imperial eagles, and in their second 
attack had no doubt realised that the quarry was already wounded. 
The first victim had been knocked down, stone-dead, when 
absolutely sound and strong. 
During summer these birds practically subsist on grass- 
hoppers, especially those in the heavy wingless stage known as 
Cigarras panzonas. These disappear after July, being replaced 
by smaller and more active varieties, which are equally relished. 
Once the females commence laying among the spring corn (in 
April), the cock-bustards assemble in widower packs (toradas) on 
the fallows, and especially on marismas adjacent to corn-land. By 
September both sexes, with the young, reunite on the stubbles, 
where we have seen as many as 200 together. 
It is in April that the old barbones attain their full glory and 
