27r. THE BIRDS OF HAMPSHIRE. 
There are no records to show that this species was ever 
plentiful in the county. 
F A M I L Y — 0 tididcs. 
Genus— (9//J-. 
209. Otis tarda. Great Bustard. 
A rare accidental visitor, formerly resident. 
The indigenous race of bustards is quite extinct and 
we can hear of no authentic Hampshire specimen now 
in existence. Since the time of its extinction, however, 
stragglers have occasionally wandered to our shores from 
the Continent. 
In the Isle of Wight it has not occurred. 
Mr. Dewar ^ quotes " Chafin, the author of a book of 
anecdotes, etc., relating to Cranbourne Chase, which 
in his time extended into Hampshire, records how in 
November, 1751, whilst living at Wallop, he managed 
one day to kill five dotterels out of a flock of twelve 
when out shooting on the downs. The report of his 
gun scared a flock of no less than twenty-five bustards, 
which flew over Southern Hill. Having returned to his 
inn, loaded his gun with swanshot and put a new flint 
in it, he mounted his horse and went in pursuit of his 
noble quarry. ' But my mind misgave me at the time that 
it would turn out a mere wild-goose chase. When I had 
come to the brow of the hill over which I had seen them 
pass I rode very cautiously, looking carefully before me, 
when on a sudden I espied them nearly within shot, and 
^ "Wild Life in Hampshire Highlands/ ' p. 23. 
