GreaT Bustanrp. CURSORES. OTIS. 329 
often described), it rises upon wing with great facility, and Flight. 
flies with much strength and swiftness, usually to another 
haunt, which will sometimes be at the distance even of six or 
seven miles. It has also been said, that, in former days, when 
the species was of common occurrence, it was a practice to 
run down the young birds (before they were able to fly) with 
greyhounds, as affording excellent diversion. So far from 
this possibility existing with respect to the present remnant 
of the breed, the young birds, upon being alarmed, constant- 
ly squat close to the ground, in the same manner as the young 
of the lapwing, golden plover, &c. and in that position are 
frequently taken by hand ; indeed, this is even the habit of 
the female during the time of incubation. 
The flesh of the bustard is dark in colour, short in fibre, Flesh. 
but sweet and well-flavoured, and is held in high estimation ; 
on which account, and its rarity, this bird has always brought 
exorbitant prices. 
Upon the Continent, it is found in some provinces of France 
and in parts of Germany and Italy. It is common in Russia, 
and on the extensive plains of Tartary. According to TEm- 
MINCK, it is rare in Holland. 
Pirate 64. A male bird, about one-sixth of the natural size. 
The specimen from which the figure is taken, was shot, about 
six years ago, by the Reverend Robert Hamond of 
Swaffham, in the county of Norfolk, and is now in his 
possession, as well as two females, and a young bird of a 
month old. When killed, it weighed twenty-eight pounds, 
and is a particularly fine specimen, being a full grown 
bird. The figure represents the attitude that the bird 
assumes previous to flight; or for a short time after 
alighting, when its habit is that of not immediately clos- 
ing the wings. 
Bill strong, greyish-white; the under mandible palest. Head, General 
nape of the neck, and ear-coverts, bluish-grey. A streak et 
of black passes along the crown of the head, reaching to Male. 
