389 



rise, which they are pretty sure to do as soon as the machine stops. We found by experience 

 that forty yards was about as close 'shaving' as the birds would stand; and at that distance it 

 was not always a kill, especially if the horses were not perfectly quiet. If a bird was hit, but 

 not brought down, we galloped after him at full speed, when, finding he could not get away from 

 us, he would often crouch ; and under these circumstances it was very difficult to find him. We 

 used to get down from the araba and almost walk over them before they would get up. They 

 are slow risers generally, but, when once fairly on the wing, go at a slashing pace. On getting 

 up, the Little Bustard makes an odd rattling noise, very similar to that produced by a bird- 

 scarer such as is used in gardens. In this description of sport only one person can shoot at a 

 time ; but, in fact, there is as much fun to be had, and more skill to be displayed, in managing 

 the horses so as to place the araba in a favourable position, than in shooting the game. Our 

 best bag in one day was seven brace, of which number eleven birds were males in splendid 

 plumage. The flesh is dark, and at this season rather strong ; but in a hungry country like the 

 Dobrudscha one is not apt to be particular." 



In Dresser's collection are a dozen eggs of this species, procured in Spain, which we now 

 have before us. In size these eggs vary from lf$ by 3£§ to 2^ by ]f§ inch, and in colour vary 

 from light greenish-olive, marked with indistinct brown blotches, to a uniform rich dark olive 

 brown colour, without any markings. The shell of these eggs is very glossy and fine-grained. 



The specimens figured and described are in Dresser's collection, obtained by Lord Lilford 

 near Aranjuez, in May 1865. 



In the preparation of the above article we have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, 6 ,b, ?. Aranjuez, Spain, May 1865 {Lord Lilford). c, 6. Ural river, 20th April, 1861 (Dode). d, d- 

 Tangiers (Irby). e, ?. Near Smyrna, 20th December, 1865. /, 6. Near Smyrna, February 1863. 

 g, 2 ■ Caspian (Dode) . 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Djendeli, 18th May, 1857 [H. B. T.). b, c. . 



E Mus. A. B. Brooke, 

 a, 2- Cidro, Sardinia, 28th March, 1871 {A. B. B.). 



E Mus. J. H. Gurnet/, jun. 

 a, 2 ■ Paris Market, November 1868 (J. Gat combe). 



