94 
PHEASANTS AND BUSTARDS. 
whom she carried home, hut soon afterwards released ; 
on the door being opened, however, he went out 
without any sign of fear, and, with a deliberate step, 
paced backwards and forwards in front of the house, 
and manifested an inclination to join the fowls in 
the poultry-yard. It should be remarked, that the 
young lady, when attacked, wore a scarlet mantle, 
which probably excited the irritability of the Phea- 
sant, as it is well known to do that of the Turkey- 
cock, and some other animals. 
The case of the Bustard occurred some years ago, 
on Tilshead downs, in Wiltshire, in the month of 
June, to a man, who was going along the road on 
horseback, about four o'clock in the morning. His 
attention was first turned to a large bird flying above 
his head, which proved to be a Bustard, though till 
then he had scarcely ever heard of such a bird. Pie 
had not proceeded far, before it alighted on the 
ground immediately in front of the horse, which it 
soon showed signs of attacking, and in a few seconds 
began the onset. The rider dismounted with all 
speed, and, getting hold of the Bustard, endeavoured 
to secure it, in which, after a long and severe strug- 
gle, he succeeded, and carried it to the house of the 
person to whom he was going, where it was confined. 
During the first week, it was not known to eat any- 
thing; but finally, it became very tame, and would 
take food from the hands of those accustomed to 
feed it, though it still continued shy in the presence 
of strangers. From the time of its capture in June, 
till August, when it was sold to a nobleman for 
thirty-one guineas, it was never seen to drink; 
indeed, after the first three weeks, water was never 
