152 NATURAL HISTORY 



themselves. They make no nest, but 

 lay their eggs on the bare ground, pro- 

 *^ ducing in common but two at a time. 

 There is reason to think their young run 

 soon after they are hatched ; and that 

 *' the old ones do not feed them, but only 

 ** lead them about at the time of feeding, 

 ** which, for the most part, is in the night/' 

 Thus far my friend. 



In the manners of this bird you see there 

 is something very analogous to the bustard, 

 whom it also somewhat resembles in 

 aspect and make, and in the structure of its 

 feet. : 



For a long time I have desired my rela- 

 tion to look out for these birds in Anda- 

 lusia ; and now he writes me word that, for 

 the first time, he saw one dead in the 

 market on the third of September. 



When the oedicnemus flies it stretches 

 out its legs straight behind, like an heron. 



I am, &Cp 



