122 
allen’s naturalist’s library. 
level, or vcg.a, of the Barbate near Casas Viejas at times, in 
early autumn, they positively swarmed in flochs sometimes of 
as many, or more, than a hundred together, frequenting this 
flat ground till it was swamped by the rains. They then re- 
sorted to higher and more undulating ground, and these large 
flocks dispersed and broke up into lots of from five to six or 
twenty in number. . • . Unlike the Great Bustard, ^ they 
usually rose high up at once, and their power and rapidity of 
flight is astonishing for their size and weight, d hey were often 
seen flying somewhat like Golden Plover, twirling and twist- 
ing about at a great elevation ; and sometimes I watched them 
rise and go to such a height that it would h.ave been difficult 
to tell what birds they were unless I had seen them fly up from 
the ground. . . . The Moorish names (Saf-saf or Sirt-sirt) 
are significant of the rattling noise which the Little Bustard 
makes in rising, and, when the flock is large, this can be 
heard a long way off. There is none of this sound of the 
wings in the rising of the slow-flying GreatBustard. . . . The 
male Little Bustard in the breeding-season has a most peculiar 
call, which can be easily imitated by pouting out the lips tight 
together and then blowing through them. The birds, when 
thus calling, seem to be close to one, but are often in reality 
half a mile off. 'I'hey must possess powers of ventriloquism, 
as I have often imagined that they were quite near to me, but 
upon hunting the spot with a dog I found no signs of them 
anywhere near. Indeed, at that season, it is sometimes as 
difficult to make them rise as a Land-Rail.” Mr. Howard Saun- 
ders says that the male assumes his breeding-plumage in April, 
at which time he selects a spot about three feet in diameter, 
on which he passes several hours each day, with head and neck 
thrown back, wings somewhat extended, and tail erect, pouring 
forth his peculiar cry of frut^ prut, jumping up at the con- 
clusion of each call, and striking the ground in a peculiar 
manner on his descent. At this season, Mr. Abel Chapman 
found that the throat was much dilated (Man. p. S^^). The 
food of the species is varied, and while chiefly consisting of 
grass and grain, also comprises frogs, small rodents, and 
insects. 
Nest On the ground, a small depression being lined with 
dry grass. 
