BUSTARD. 365 



We have been informed of three or four of these birds, which have 

 of late years been killed in this kingdom. One shot in or near 

 Wherwell Wood, not far from Andover, in Hampshire, in the middle 

 of December, 1808. 



Another in Yorkshire, near Beverley ; communicated by the late 

 Mr. Folijambe, of Grosvenor-place ; time of the year not mentioned; 

 this, though given to him as a male, was in the female plumage. 



A third shot in Jan. 1809, by the Hon. W. Temple, in a turnip 

 field, in the parish of Wellow, near Romsey, Hants. This latter 

 was eighteen inches in length, to the end of the tail ; but to that of 

 the toes twenty inches and a half; extent of the wings two feet nine 

 inches ; weight thirty-three ounces (averdup.) This, as well as the 

 two last mentioned, had the plumage of the female, as described 

 above ; the real sex, from the inside being in decay, could not be 

 ascertained ; but the colour of the plumage was very bright and 

 distinct. In addition to the above Mr. Selby, of Twizel House, 

 Northumberland, informs me, that one of these, in the female 

 plumage, was killed near him in January last, and found, on dis- 

 section, to be a male. From the above circumstances it is not unfair 

 to conjecture, that either the male does not get the black neck for a 

 a season or two, at any rate, or that one or both sexes obtain this 

 mark, or distinction, during the time of incubation ; unless, as M. 

 Salerne tells us, that this species is polygamous. 



13— PASSARAGE BUSTARD. 



Otis aurita, bid. Om. i. 660. 



Passarage Plover, View of Hindoostan, ii. pi. p. 271. 



Passarage Bustard, Gen. Syn. Sup. 228. 



SIZE of the Little Bustard ; length eighteen inches. Bill long, 

 and slender, bluish; head, neck, breast, and belly black; on the 

 ears a white patch ; junction of the neck and breast white; the whole 



