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across the narrower dykes, Mr. Upeher had a small hut built of 
hurdles and straw, into which she was driven and fed, the front 
being left open. On the 12 th and 13 th, both birds were seen to- 
gether, and the male was reported as “strutting about and traping 
his wings like a turkey cock;” but on the night of the 13th the 
cold increased, with a cutting wind, and by the 1 4th the snow laid 
three or four inches deep on the ground. Still the male bird re- 
mained about the same locality, and the hen, though not visible, 
was supposed to be sheltering in her straw hut; but not making her 
appearance on the 15th after a rough night and torrents of rain, a 
search was made for her and the poor bird was discovered dead in 
one of the deep ditches, bordering the field she was in. This was 
most unfortunate, as the pair had taken so well to each other, and 
the chances of detaining the wild cock bird were very promising. 
In this emergency, Mr. Upeher again applied to Lord Lilford, who, 
in the most liberal and spirited manner offered to send another hen 
bustard, to continue the experiment, but with what effect will bo 
best given in Mr. Upcher’s own words. 
“Feb. 21. Lord Lilford’s keeper arrived with a second hen 
bustard, and we drove over at once to the fen. The cock bird was 
still there. It was blowing so heavily from the north-west with 
every appearance of a continuance of bad weather, that I hesitated 
to turn her out after her predecessor’s untimely end, owing, as I 
feel sure, to the very inclement weather. So I put her into the 
hut, with this time a hurdle across the entrance, and left her. The 
cock bird was in the field, and by this time he appeared to have 
become accustomed to our presence. 
“Feb. 22. The keeper saw the cock bustard about 100 yards 
from the hut, and went to let out the hen ; but, unfortunately, 
while so engaged the cock took flight. Thereupon, as this hen’s 
wings were uucut, he thought it more prudent not to let her out in 
his absence. This evening, the wind still blowing a gale from the 
north-west, the male returned, but, flying over the field in which 
the hen was, passed on about a mile to another spot, which he had 
been observed to visit before. 
“Feb. 23. The male bird in the same field in which lie had 
been seen to alight overnight. A boy going for some harrows put 
him up, but he alighted again almost immediately. The same 
afternoon ho was seen flying towards Brandon. 
