THE BUSTARD 



central Asia are the regions where bustards are now to be met with in the 

 greatest numbers, although large flocks may be seen in parts of Spain. 



Bustards, which associate in large flocks, are essentially birds of the 

 open country, never entering woods, and preferring elevated ground, whence 

 they can command a wide view of the plains below, to which they descend during 

 the daytime in search of food. They are exceedingly shy and mistrustful, giving 

 every bush in their path a wide berth, lest it should conceal a lurking foe, and 

 taking to flight on the least alarm. For warning of the presence of danger they 

 seem to depend mainly upon sight, although their hearing is also good ; on the 

 other hand, their sense of smell, like that of most birds is but poorly developed. 

 This excessive shyness renders the bustard a difficult bird to bag, even by the 

 experienced gunner. 



At the commencement of the pairing-season the cocks endeavour to 

 attract the attention of the hens by their nuptial display. Advancing towards the 

 latter they ruffle out their feathers like an excited turkey-cock, at the same time 

 lowering their wings and spreading out the tail like a fan. The gular pouch is 

 also inflated, so as to make the neck appear as thick as possible, and the beautiful 

 under feathers are displayed to the utmost extent, the body and neck being 

 half buried in a billowy mass of snow-white plumes. It is at this time also 

 that the cocks rush at one another with trailing wings to contend with beak and 

 talons for the mastery. On such occasions it is possible to capture these generally 

 shy birds with the hand. 



The nest is generally constructed amid growing corn, the hen merely 

 scratching a slight hollow in the ground, which she lines with straw, bents, and 

 grass. The three or four eggs are incubated by the hen alone, and when the young 

 are hatched, both these and their parents leave the standing corn only for short 

 periods. At first the young bustards feed chiefly upon insects and worms, to 

 which they are directed by the old birds, but later on vegetable substances con- 

 stitute almost their sole food. Young peas and cabbage form very favourite food, 

 but in default of better nutriment grass is largely eaten. 



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