lUTFFED BUSTAlll). 7 



rufF, challenging all comers. The pnrsuers hang over 

 him — only a few yards above him; and at each effort 

 he makes to take wing, swoop down with a feint. It 

 is considered the excellency of a Falcon to make these 

 feints at the quarry until it is nearly exhausted, when 

 the fatal swoop is made, and the bird instantly drops, 

 struck dead by the hind claw having pierced its spine. 

 This manner of hunting is probably practised both to 

 afford more prolonged excitement to the horseman, but 

 chiefly from the mode of self-defence adopted by the 

 Houbara, and which I have had various opportunities 

 of observing myself. As the Hawk approaches, the 

 Houbara ejects both from the mouth and vent a slimy 

 fluid. A well-trained bird eludes this shower by 

 repeated feints until the quarry's supply of moisture 

 is exhausted; an impatient one rushes in and gets his 

 feathers and whole plumage so bedaubed, that his flight 

 is materially impeded, and his swoop, when made, is 

 irresolute." 



"With a leash of Falcons, two Haggards, and a 

 Tiercell Saker, I have known three Houbaras and a 

 Sand Grouse or two captured in a day, and the chase 

 was terminated merely on account of the fatigue of the 

 horses. I was never actually present at the chase of 

 the gazelle, but it is very commonly practised, and I 

 have seen a gazelle brought into camp that had been 

 so taken. This sport, however, requires more birds, 

 and is very dangerous to the Falcons, who frequently 

 impale themselves on the horns of their prey. It is 

 not uncommon for both pursuer and victim to fall 

 dead at one mutual stroke." 



The Ruffed Bustard, like the rest of the family, is 

 a shy bird, frequenting the wild desert, and rarely 

 coming near a human dwelling, or where it is likely 



