376 



8 



east-central portions of North Germany, and relatively numerous in the open and partially culti- 

 vated, though not unpopulated, tracts, as, for instance, on the steppe-like Finerbruch, near 

 Genthin, and near Pyritz in Pomerania; and Mr. E. F. von Homeyer writes that it is more 

 numerous to the eastward than west of Stolp (Pomerania), and no eastern boundary can be 

 drawn for it in Germany. Dr. E. Rey records it as not uncommon near Halle in the winter 

 season. It is most numerous at Roitsch, and near Lochau, Mersburg, Lauchstaedt, Schafstaedt, 

 where, for instance, in the winter of 1870-71 above thirty were shot. It breeds at Eoitsch and 

 the Peters-Berg. 



It has, Mr. Benzon writes, " but seldom been obtained in Denmark ; and the occurrences on 

 record were chiefly in Jutland, of which I may name one in the summer of 1860, that of a 

 female, which was caught and sent to Kjeerbolling's Zoological Garden in Copenhagen." In 

 Holland and Belgium it occurs accidentally during the winter season ; and De la Fontaine states 

 the same as regards Luxemburg. Godron also states that it is occasionally obtained near Nancy 

 and Metz in the winter. In France this species, according to Degland andGerbe, "was formerly 

 much more abundant than at present, and great numbers were to be found near Chalons-sur- 

 Marne and throughout the province of Champagne. Now they are only to be found as residents 

 in a few places ; but individuals are occasionally killed in various parts of the north of France, 

 especially towards the end of February. Examination of the crops of at least fifty individuals 

 tend to show that this species is almost if not quite herbivorous, the few remains of insects found 

 being attributable to their having been swallowed with the leaves devoured. It is extremely 

 partial to the leaves of rape; but it also partakes, though in smaller quantities, of all kinds of 

 grain." In the south of France it is, MM. Jaubert and Barthelemy-Lapommeraye write, 

 extremely rare. 



Professor Barboza du Bocage records it as found in Portugal at Alemtejo and Ribatejo ; 

 and the various writers on Spanish ornithology speak of it as common. I saw it near Castellejos, 

 where, however, it is rare compared with some other parts of Spain. Lord Lilford writes as 

 follows: — "On May 26th Manuel knocked down a magnificent male Bustard (Otis tarda) which 

 rose at a few paces from the carriage in which we were. We marked him down ; and Manuel, 

 after a clever stalk, got within shot, and gave him the contents of both barrels as he rose. He 

 did not appear to be seriously hurt, and attempted to cross the valley of the Tagus ; but a violent 

 squall of wind forced him back towards us, and he fell headlong into a field of standing wheat, 

 in which Manuel, Agapo, and his dog sought him in vain for upwards of an hour. This was the 

 only Great Bustard which we met with near Aranjuez ; but the species is common in suitable 

 localities throughout Spain, and several eggs were subsequently brought to me from the environs 

 of Madrid. I was assured in Andalucia that a considerable number of Great Bustards remain in 

 the plains about Seville during the whole year, but that they receive great reinforcements in 

 February and the beginning of March, and that the birds which arrive from the south at that 

 season are always the largest, and are distingished by the cazaclores as ' Moriscos ' In April 

 1864 I found the Great Bustard in great numbers in the immediate neighbourhood of Seville." 

 And Mr. Howard Saunders speaks of it as " generally distributed over the great plains through- 

 out the country. This species is especially abundant around Seville, residing throughout the 

 year in the ' marisma,' and coming to the cultivated land in breeding-time. The peasants call 



