File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14770750823).jpg

Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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GREAT BUSTARDS. numbers. By good care and feeding, the farmers wife hoped the birdswould lay eggs, and rear the broods, but this was not the case. For the last half century scarce a bustard has been seen, and every timesuch has been the case, the fact has been recorded with interest THE BUSTARD. :95 One large bird was taken on Newmarket Heath, and sold in Londonfor five guineas. A gentleman, who was a great sportsman, once declared that he saw < .s;-!^
Text Appearing After Image:
THE LITTLIi BUSTAKD. a flock of bustards rise before his gun, in a sudden manner, out of a gravelpit ; and it was even reported that the bustard had been known to attackz. man on horseback at night. M 2 196 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. Once a solitary bustard haunted a turnip-field in Cornwall, and thecountry people fancied it must be an eagle, from its great size and the noiseit made when it rose from its covert in the bush. In Bristol there is a recordthat one Christmas two bustards were served up at table, and gave greatmagnificence to the feast. Another story, not so probable, is that the last of the Salisbury Plainbustards came up to a farmer, and let itself be taken as if in despair. The bustard feeds on the berries that grow on the heath, and on thelarge worms that lie in quantities on the downs before the sun riseson a summer morning. Its food is moist, and it can live a long timewithout drinking. Indeed, one that was kept in a tame state never drankat all. The male bird has a curious

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