. The popular natural history . Zoology. %H GREAT BUSTARD. riie long curved beak of the Apteryx has the nostrils very narrow, ver*- Siriall, and, set on at each side of the tip, so that the bird is enabled to pry out the worms, and other nocturnal creatures on which it feeds, without trusting only to the eyes. The general colour of the Apteryx is chestnut- brown, each feather being tipped with a darker hue, and the under parts are lighter than the upper. The height is about two feet. Several species of the Apteryx are known. Although the progress of civilization has conferred many benefits on
. The popular natural history . Zoology. %H GREAT BUSTARD. riie long curved beak of the Apteryx has the nostrils very narrow, ver*- Siriall, and, set on at each side of the tip, so that the bird is enabled to pry out the worms, and other nocturnal creatures on which it feeds, without trusting only to the eyes. The general colour of the Apteryx is chestnut- brown, each feather being tipped with a darker hue, and the under parts are lighter than the upper. The height is about two feet. Several species of the Apteryx are known. Although the progress of civilization has conferred many benefits on this country, it has deprived it of many of its aboriginal inhabitants, whether furred or feathered, the Great Bustard being in the latter category. This splendid bird, although in former days quite a usual tenant of plains and commons, and having been an ordinary object of chase on New- market Heath, is now so rare, that an occasional specimen only makes its appearance at very distant inter- vals. The Great Bustard is not fond of flying, its wings having but a slow and deliberate movement; but on foot It is very swift, and tests the speed of dog' and horse before it can be captured. The nest—if a hole in the ground may be called a nest—of this bird is generally made among corn, rye, &c., although it is sometimes situ- ated in rather unexpected localities. T he eggs are two or three in num- ber, and of an olive-brown colour, splashed with light brown in which a green tinge is perceptible. The food of the bird is almost wholly of a vegetable nature, though it it is said to feed occasionally upon mice, lizards, and other small vertebrates. The flesh of the Bustard is very excellent, but the extreme rarity of these birds prevents it from being often seen upon English tables. When caught young, the Bustard can be readily tamed, and soon becomes quite familiar with those who treat it kindly. The head and upper part of the neck are greyish white, and upon the side of the neck
Size: 1431px × 1745px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
