( 36 ) 

 The Buflard. 



Numb. XXXVIII. XXXIX. 



TT is as big as the 'Turkey; its length from the tip of the Bill to the end 

 — • of the Tail was lixty Inches; its breadth between the Wings, when 

 extended, two Yards and a half; its Bill like a Hen's, the upper Chap 

 being fomething crooked; the Head and Neck are alli coloured, the 

 Belly white,- the Back is variegated with red and black tranfverfe Lines ; 

 it wants the back Toe, which is efpecially remarkable; for by this Note 

 alone, and its bignefs, it is fufficiently diftinguhlied from all other Birds 

 of this kind: It feeds upon Corn, Seeds of Herbs, Col worts. Dandelion 

 leaves, ^c. In the Stomach of one diffe^led was found a great Quan- 

 tity of Hemlock Seed, with three or four Grains of Barley, and that in 

 Harveft time ; they are found on Newmarket and Royjlon Heaths in 

 CamhrtdgJJdire and Suffolk-, and elfevv^here in Waftes and Plains : They 

 are of flow flight, and when they are upon the Ground can hardly raife 

 themfelves from it, by reafon of the Bulk and Weight of their Bodies, 

 from whence without doubt they got the Latin name Tarda. 



Dr. Douglas has obferved in the Male two Stomachs, one for the Food 

 and the other a Refervatory for Water to fupply them, they feeding oa 

 dry Heaths remote from Ponds and Rivers: Some fay one may catch 

 them with ones Hands before they can compofe themfelves to fly; but 

 this is a Miftake : for though it be long before they can raife themfelves 

 from the Earth, yet are they very timorous and circumfpedt, and will 

 not fuffer a Man to come within a Furlong of them, before they take 

 Wing and fly away; yet our Fowlers report that they may be run down 

 with Greyhounds. 



The 



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