Rough-legged Buzzard in Essex. 61
their appetites ; and as they are generally very fat, they
are unable to fly without much preparation : when, there-
fore, the 'greyhounds come within a certain distance, the
bustards run off, clap their wings, and endeavour to gather
under them air enough to rise ; in the meantime the dogs
are continually gaining ground, till at last it is too late for
flight. However, notwithstanding the sluggishness of their
usual pace, they can, when in danger, run very fast, and
once fairly on the wing are able to fly several miles with-
out resting." There is a gentleman here at Chelmsford
whose grandfather, then resident in Norfolk, used to keep
greyhounds for the purpose of coursing bustards.
The pages of the Zoologist have recorded a few specimens
from time to time, but in rapidly decreasing numbers, and,
if I remember rightly, there have been no records for
several years. This will show the interest attaching in
a visit once more from the Great Bustard, and perhaps
justify a rather lengthy notice of it.
The Essex specimen was brought by its owner, on the
day of its death, to Chelmsford Market, and deposited for
a time with our local bird-stuffer. Here it was fortunately
not destined long to remain. Mr. Pertwee, who valued it
but slightly, not being a naturalist, after some hesitation
parted with it to my friend Mr. C. Smoothy, of Bexfields,
Galleywood, near Chelmsford—a very good ornithologist
and an amateur taxidermist of more than average pre-
tensions—to whose already extensive collection of rare
birds, all preserved by his own hands, it forms a grand
addition. It is a matter for congratulation that instead of
being roasted like a turkey by some ignorant nineteenth-
century heathen, it has passed into the hands of a person
knowing so well how to appreciate it as Mr. Smoothy, who
would, I know, be very pleased to show it to any member
feeling interested enough to call upon him. There seems
to be some doubt as to whether it is a young male or a
female bird, but probably it is the latter. Whether this is
the case or no, it has not the imposing size and conspicuous
beard of the adult male, and only weighed about ten
pounds; the average weight of the male being twenty-five