31 6 BRITISH BIRDS* 
mediately under the tongue.* This lingular refer- 
voir was firfb difcovered by Dr Douglas, who fup- 
pofes that the bird fills it with water as a fupply in 
the midll of thofe dreary plains where it is accuf- 
tomed to wander ; it like wife makes a further ufe 
of it in defending itfelf againlt the attack of birds 
of prey ; on fuch occafions it throws out the water 
with fuch violence, as not unfrequently to baffle 
the purfuit of its enemy, 
Bullards were formerly more frequent in this 
ifland than at prefent ; they are now found only in 
the open countries of the South and Eaft, in the 
plains of Wiltlhire, Dorfetlhire, and in fome parts 
of Yorklhire ; they were formerly met with in 
Scotland, but are now fuppofed to be extindt there. 
They are flow in taking wing, but run with great 
rapidity, and when young are fometimes taken 
with greyhounds, which purfue them with great 
avidity : The chace is faid to afford excellent di- 
verfion. The Great Bullard is granivorous, feed- 
ing on herbs and grain of various kinds ; it is alfo 
fond of thofe worms which are feen to come out of 
the ground in great numbers before fun-rile in the 
fummer ; in winter it frequently feeds on the bark 
of trees : Like the Ollrich, it fw allows fmall Hones, f 
* Barrington’s Mif. p. 553. 
•J* In the ftomach of one which was opened by the academi- 
cians there were found, befides fmall ftones, to the number of 
ninety doubloons, all worn and polilhed by the attrition of the 
ftomach. 
