GREAT BUSTARD. 97 



or seven eggs. She, unfortunately, was disturbed by a farmer, who secured the bird 

 by throwing a casting-net over her; but she pined for a short time and died. Bustards 

 are, however, still occasionally seen in the grounds of the Duke of Grafton, at Easton, 

 and on the heaths between Thetford and Newmarket. 



The method which was usually adopted by a sportsman desirous of shooting this shy 

 bird, was to dress his head with boughs, and to walk by the side of a stalking horse, 

 decorated in the same manner, until he arrived within gun-shot. I have never heard that 

 the breed has been domesticated. The late Duke of Queensbury had three pinioned on 

 his lawn at Xewmarket; and J. Wastall, Esq. had one pair a long time in his garden, 

 at Eisby, in Suffolk. In a wild state, they live on grain and insects, and, (according to 

 Shaw,) on rats and field mice. They breed among the corn in summer, and in autumn 

 form covies or flights of about three or four brace. Their flesh is much esteemed by 

 sportsmen." 



In Scotland it seems never to have been abundant, Forfarshire and Morayshire being 

 alone mentioned as having afforded Bustards. In Ireland it has long been extinct. 



On the continent the Bustard occurs in many countries. In Germany and Hungary 

 it is abundant, and is by no means rare in France. It occurs rarely in Holland and 

 Sweden. It is also found in Russia, Spain, Italy, and Greece. 



In Asia it is found in Astrackan, Syria, and Tartary. 



As an article of food the Bustard has always been highly esteemed, but in this country, 

 of late years, it has been so rare, that but few have been able to indulge in the luxury 

 of a Bustard. Tarrell mentions a pair in 1817 or 1818, which were sold in London for 

 twelve guineas. On the continent it is procured more frequently. The flesh is dark 

 coloured. 



The situations in which these birds are usually found, are open plains or downs; 

 extensive fields of grain and turnips. It is not found among woods or mountains. It 

 is very shy in its habits, and can with great difficulty be approached, even in countries 

 where it is comparatively abundant, as in Germany and Spain. The Bustard is not, 

 strictly speaking, a migratory bird, but remains in its native district the whole year, 

 unless compelled to move from it by the severity of the weather or the want of food; 

 when induced by such circumstances to change their abode, they are said to do so during 

 the day-time, and consequently on these occasions, from their large and conspicuous size, 

 many are shot or captured by the sportsmen in the districts through which they pass. 

 During the summer time they generally lie close all day, particularly during the breeding 

 season, hiding in the tall wheat or rye. They pass the night in a body, the young ones 

 being in the centre : on such occasions they are very watchful, and are seldom siu'prised. 



The general form of the body of the Bustard is a good deal that of the Goose, and 

 indeed it is said, when lying down, to present much of the appearance of that bird, 



