MEMOIR OF THE L.VTE JOIIX SCALES. 
117 
March 31. 185G. 
. . . From the observations I made, when residing in Norfolk and 
Bustards were tolerably plentiful, the birds appeared to congregarte in the 
autumn after the breeding-season, the flocks varying from six or seven to ten 
or fifteen, and I have seen as many as twenty-three. Among the flocks I 
generally noticed one, two, or three old male birds consi)icuously. They 
freiiuented the extensive open turnip fields — especially white turnips, or 
fields of early rye ; but as spring came on they imperceptibly disappeared, 
except one or two being here and there seen in the young corn — no doubt 
there remaining to breed ; but on no occasion did I ever see an old male 
during the late part of the spring or summer-months, which always led me 1o 
suppose they had dispersed to dillerent open localities in various parts of 
England for the purpose of incubation— such as the jdains of 'Wiltshire and 
the wolds of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire . . . but I certainly never 
entertained an idea that they retired to the fen-districts, at least in England, 
whatever they may do in Fnince or Spain — in fa(!t I never heard of a single 
instance of their being seen in the fens. I therefore consider the Bustard to 
be (or to have been) partially migrator}' in this country; but my observations 
having been principally confined to Norfolk (and what I have heard of them 
in your neighbourhood jSutlblk]) where I had an opportunity of observing 
their habits and manners for twenty-five years. 
I do not believe that Bustards were ever regularly coursed by Greyhounds 
in a sporting point of view. That such occurrences have accidentally taken 
idace is very probable, although I never knew of such an instance, or could 
ascertain an established fact. ... I think such statements must have 
arisen from young birds (which have not arrived at full plumage) having 
been surprised by gentlemen or farmers who may have been exercising their 
greyhounds and accidentally fallen in with them. The greyhounds may have 
caught them under such circumstances, ... or old birds may 
occasionally have been surprised during the moulting-scason, and having 
dirticulty in rising at that time have run, which, as you know, they would do 
very rapidly under such circumstances, and have been caught. . . . But 
it is 111 }' opinion that the coursing of Bustards as a regular diversion was not 
practised. The birds when they are in perfect feather have much le.«s 
diflh'ulty in rising than mast persons imagine. Therefore unless it was done 
with young birds before they have attained their plumage, or that an old 
bird during the moulting-season (when in fact the}' are in a state of disease 
and weak) might be taken, I feel quite certain they are not to be captured in 
that manner. . . . Mr. llamond who was intimate with the 
Jtev. [Edward] Evans of Eriswell told me he had a male bird alive which he 
brought up from a young one and was so tame [as to] eat off the breakfast- 
table. . . . 
. . . I note your enquiry and observation about the egg of the Great 
.Vuk, of which 1 have a specimen, which I believe I lent to Mr. Hewitson 
some years ago with solnb other rlirities to make drawings from. . . ; 
