In the early part of the sixteenth century the Great Bustard was well known and widely distributed throughout the moors and plains of England and the lowlands of Scotland. The increasing population, and cultivation of waste lands, gradually diminished localities suitable to its habits, and in 1838 the last eggs of our indigenous birds were taken.
At intervals irregular wanderers still occur in different parts of our islands, and several attempts to reintroduce this fine species in recent years have failed. In Spain, parts of Germany, and Southern Russia, this species is still to be found as a resident and breeding bird, but over the rest of Europe it is only known as an irregular visitor.
The male has the head bluish grey; rest of upper parts brownish buff, barred with black; wing coverts white; quills blackish. Breast banded with chestnut and grey; belly white. Length 43 in.; wing 24 in.
The female is smaller and lacks the band on the breast.
THE LITTLE BUSTARD
Otis tetrax, Linnæus
The Little Bustard is only a scarce visitor, and has most frequently occurred on our southern and eastern coasts. It is a south European species, but breeds regularly on the plains of France, where it arrives in April and leaves in September.
The general colour of both sexes is sandy brown, streaked and vermiculated with black on the upper parts; the under parts are chiefly white. In summer the male has the throat and upper breast black, shading to grey on the chin, and crossed with irregular white bars. Length 17 in.; wing 9·5 in.
MACQUEEN’S BUSTARD
Otis macqueeni, J. E. Gray
This is an Eastern species, breeding from Asia Minor eastwards towards the Caspian and Aral Seas, and has only occurred on two or three occasions in these islands.
This species may be recognised by having a crest of white feathers tipped with black, and a blackish ruff on the sides of the neck. The rest of the plumage above is buff, vermiculated with black, and the under parts are white. Length 38 in.; wing 15·5 in.