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of the sugar-factory there told him that the Arabs not unfrequently brought in specimens, and 

 that he had kept one alive for three months. Von Heuglin says that it is rare on the Nile ; 

 Antinori says that he has on several occasions received it from the Arabs of East Senaar with 

 other allied species ; and Ruppell states that it is rare in North-east Africa. In the spring of 

 1850 Von Heuglin met with what he believes to have been this species at the foot of the Atagah 

 mountains; and in the summer of 1860 a fully fledged young male was killed near Cairo. In 

 this specimen the crest and collar were fully developed, though the wing- and tail-feathers had 

 not attained their full length. " In the grassy and bush-covered plains on the Mediterranean 

 coast west of Alexandria, however," Von Heuglin writes, " this bird is commoner, and is seen in 

 pairs and families, wandering about ; and it is very shy. Only during the pairing-season and in 

 the late summer will it allow itself to be approached within gunshot-range, as it will then squat 

 when danger threatens ; and the Arabs say that the males when they fight amongst themselves 

 in the spring are not difficult of approach." Loche says, " the Houbara inhabits the southern 

 portions of Algeria and the Sahara as far as Dar-four. It frequents the vast desert plains where 

 there is no trace of cultivation, and never collects in flocks, being usually seen singly or in pairs. 

 Like most of the Bustards it feeds on insects, caterpillars, vegetable matter, and small reptiles." 

 Colonel Irby says that the present species is not mentioned by Favier as occurring at Tangier, 

 but he saw one specimen which had been obtained near there in August, and it is stated to be 

 frequently met with further south. It is also an inhabitant of the Canaries, but is stated by 

 Berthelot and Dr. Carl Bolle to be found only on Fuerteventura, except that a few have been 

 obtained on the south coast of Lanzarote. 



Shy and extremely difficult of approach, the Houbara frequents the large sandy plains where 

 it can with ease note the approach of an intruder. Loche says that it is always found singly or 

 in pairs ; but other observers state that it is often met with in small flocks. Dr. Carl Bolle, 

 writing respecting its habits in the Canaries, says : — " It is fond of the large plains, especially in 

 localities where corn-fields are near; but I have seen it far in the desert and even on stony 

 mountains. It is but seldom seen, as it squats down to escape observation when approached, 

 and will hide behind a stone, seldom seeking safety in flight at once. It is generally seen in 

 pairs, and is extremely shy and wary, so that it is difficult to approach within shot-range ; and I 

 am told that it may most easily be approached if the gunner be seated on a donkey or camel ; for 

 the birds are accustomed to see these animals and are not afraid of them ; but they must be 

 approached in circles, and not direct. The flesh of this bird is eagerly eaten. In spite of its 

 shyness the Houbara Bustard is easily tamed if caught young ; and I have seen a tame hen bird 

 consorting with the poultry in the yard of Dr. Thomas Mena." According to Von Heuglin the 

 present species feeds on desert-beetles, orthoptera, snails, grubs, seeds, and tender shoots ; and it 

 is also said to eat frogs and lizards. 



The nest of the Houbara is a mere depression scratched in the soil, without any lining ; and, 

 according to Loche, the number of eggs deposited is only four or five. I am indebted to Mr. J. H. 

 Gurney, jun., for one egg obtained by him in Algeria, and possess another from Loche. These 

 eggs are olivaceous brown, tolerably regularly marked with somewhat blurred broad dashes of 

 darker brown, and here and there spotted with clear blackish brown. In size they measure 

 2M DV Ifo i nc h, and are pointed somewhat towards each end. 



2o 



