15 
1921.] Birds of North-East Chihli. 
passage. These birds probably begin to pass in September or 
possibly at the end of August, but I have no positive records. 
As the kaoliang (sorghum) is not down much before the 
beginning of October—and the birds, as a rule, fly very 
low,—observations at that season are difficult until the plain 
is more or less cleared of the high crops. My predecessor 
at this port once shot eight in the course of an afternoon at 
the beginning of October, out of a large number which flew 
over the port that day. These Bustards fly in flocks which 
occasionally contain from 40 to 50 birds ; but, as a rule, 
10 to 20 individuals is the usual number. Very wary, they 
seldom alight while migrating, except in the vicinity of decoys 
and in very open places. After the middle of November 
and during winter, the Great Bustard may be found on the 
hare high ground inland and on the plains. The natives 
shoot the Eastern Great Bustard on passage, by means of 
decoys, both in spring and in autumn after the crops have 
been cut *. Large circular pits are dug on the plain in the 
line of flight of the Bustards. These are furnished with a 
flat roof of kaoliang stalks, the roof being a very# few 
inches above the level of the ground. The edge of the roof 
is hung with grass so as to conceal the interior. A few 
paces from the pit, Bustard skins stuffed so as to represent 
the birds in an expectant attitude are planted all round. 
These Bustard skins have the orbits stuffed with cotton 
painted black, the legs are cut off and replaced by a stout 
stick, the tail is spread in the characteristic manner, and 
the skins, in which the wing-quills have been pulled out, 
are stuffed in such a way as to show a great deal of white 
on the flanks, the wings being tightly bound to the body. 
The professional shooting-men come daily to these decoys 
during the times of passage and remain there throughout 
the day. On the approach of the Bustards they conceal 
themselves in the pits. The Bustards, on sighting the decoy, 
generally fly straight to it and after wheeling round once 
* Since the above was written, I have been informed by my collector 
that the birds are also taken with nets. 
