730 MR. E. J. H. ELDRED ON THE GREAT BUSTARD. 
Gulls flying over, but immediately detect a Kestrel, the only 
Hawk I have noticed here, and at once begin to show signs 
of uneasiness, whining and crouching ; it is surprising how 
close they can squat to the ground for so large a bird. A 
Heron passing over also puts them on the alert, as they do not 
at present seem to make out what it is, presumably taking 
it for a large bird of prey. They are very much afraid of 
strange dogs, and will on the appearance of one, if care is not 
taken, dash themselves against the netting. Their power 
of vision must be acute, as they distinguish the object of 
their aversion at a long distance, when quite a speck in the 
air, in fact long before I can make out what is troubling them. 
During the middle of the day in hot weather they are very 
quiet and restful and enjoy basking in the sun with out- 
stretched wings, panting with the heat, and they usually sit all 
facing one way, but in wet weather they look very miserable 
and dejected as they stand hunched up together. 
I have only observed the male bird show off twice, the first 
time on May nth, again on 2nd June, and on one occasion 
shortly after he was very pugnacious attacking me fiercely 
when inside the enclosure. Of course I was very gentle with 
his outburst and he has not since evinced any further signs 
of ill temper towards myself, but finding him rather spiteful 
with the hens when shut up, I separated them at night. 
He is not nearly so familiar as his companions, these will 
attend me quite closely when cleaning or doing anything 
inside the run, following in quest of worms or insects that 
may turn up. 
Having now had these splendid birds under close observa- 
tion and personal care for over a year, I may perhaps venture 
to offer some opinion on the prospects of domestication. 
I have always been very enthusiastic and sanguine that it 
could be accomplished, but until one has such an undertaking 
really in hand the difficulties to be overcome before a success- 
ful result can be looked for are hardly realised. What 
remarks I have to offer will, I trust, deter no one from a similar 
attempt, as I rather want to show as far as possible the nature 
and habits of the birds and how best to meet their peculiarities 
