THE GREAT BUSTARD.
This noble bird, being twice as large as a turkey, weighing often thirty pounds, is found in the northern parts of Europe, and even in England. Its food is esteemed as a great delicacy, and therefore it is scarce in countries thickly inhabited by man. It frequents open plains, runs with rapidity, and if pursued, rises upon the wing, and skims over the ground with great swiftness. It lives upon grasses, grain, and the leaves of tender plants. It lays its eggs on the ground, without a nest. The young ones, when pursued, skulk in the grass or leaves, and are thus often taken with the hand. The bustard is sometimes tamed, but even then it is shy, and never seems to place full confidence in man.
African Rings.—Dollars are in great request among the old kings and chiefs of the interior of Africa. They first drill two holes, about the centre, into which they insert a circular piece of lead to slip on to the finger; the surface of the dollar being on the upper part of the hand, like a seal.
