100 GREAT BUSTARD. 



it has gradually diminished in England before agricultural improvements, and the detonating 

 fowling-pieces now in such general use. 



We do not remember ever to have seen records of any variation in the plumage 

 of the Bustard, from that which it commonly exhibits ; but it is not impossible that such 

 varieties may occasionally occur. 



The adult male has the bill grayish white; irides, hazel. Head and neck, ash-coloured; 

 having a streak of black running over the crown of the head to the nape. A tuft of 

 wiry-fringed feathers springs from the chin, running backwards and downwards. On 

 the front of the neck is a long narrow patch of naked skin, of a bluish gray colour, 

 lying over the throat pouch. The upper parts are of an ochre yellow or pale reddish 

 brown, barred with black; primaries, black with white shafts; secondaries, tertials, and 

 bastard wing, white ; greater coverts, white. Upper part of the breast, pale red orange ; 

 lower breast, abdomen, vent, and under tail coverts, white. Tail feathers, ochre 

 yellow with white edges and tips, and with one or two black bars; tail, often elevated 

 and spread like a fan. Legs and feet, dusky black. 



The female resembles the male, but is destitute of the fringed whiskers; and also 

 wants the throat pouch. The male in winter resembles the female. 



The young at a month old, says Mr. Selby, are covered with a buff-coloured clown, 

 barred upon the back, wings, and sides, with black. 



The weight of the adult male is from twenty-five to thirty pounds; the female is 

 considerably less. 



The male measures in length about three feet eight or ten inches; the female about 

 three feet. 



