364 BUSTARD. 



The female said to want the black on the neck, which is of the 

 same colour as the rest of the upper parts, and much the same as in 

 the male, but the lines not so delicate, and the irregular, and lon- 

 gitudinal spots more numerous; breast rufous white, with blackish 

 striae ; the rest of the under parts white.* 



This species is found in many parts of Europe, but is very rarely 

 met with in England ; and except in one instance all specimens have 

 been females, or supposed to be such ; and if so, this may be well 

 accounted for, as there are more of that sex.j- The males are said to 

 fight with each other vigorously, and each to keep master of a certain 

 district. In several parts of France it is in sufficient plenty, as well 

 as in Spain; but in others little known; and we believe it to be no 

 where very common. Linnaeus notes it in his Swedish List, saying, 

 that it is seen there in spring, but very rarely ;% but no where farther 

 to the north ; very frequent in the southern and south west Plains of 

 Russia, and in small flocks, when it migrates; continues a good way 

 into the deserts of Tartary, but never seen in Siberia. The female lays 

 from three to five glossy green eggs in June ; the young follow the 

 mother as soon as hatched, like chickens, and squat on the least noise; 

 they are able to fly about the middle of August : is a shy and crafty 

 species; if disturbed, will fly for two or three hundred paces, not 

 far from the ground, and then run faster than a man can follow on 

 foot. § Feeds on all sorts of grain, ants, beetles, and green corn: 

 the flesh is dark in colour, but much esteemed, being of a very high 

 flavour; by some thought to taste much like that of a hare. The 

 eggs are also accounted a great delicacy. 



* It is probable that the male retains the female plumage for a season or two, as the late 

 Mr. Tunstall had one in his Museum, shot in Sussex, appearing outwardly as a female, but 

 proved, on dissection, to be a male ; or does the male possess the distinction of the black 

 neck for a certain time every year? 



•f Salerne observes, that one male is sufficient for many females. 



J Buffon says, that Linnaeus has not mentioned it in his Fauna Suecica, He had not 

 read the last edition of that work. 



§ From this cunning, a proverb has arisen in Fiance, that a man " plays the Land- 

 Duck." 



