OTIDIDAE—BUSTARDS.
229
posed it to be standing, then looked through cautiously and had a fine view of it.
It was about 150 yards off, and appeared to be an old bird in perfect plumage.
Of course it was no use firing at it at such a distance, but I thought if I went on a
few yards further, and crawled through a gap, and ran in upon it, I might get
within shot before it rose, or that it might fly towards me. But while I was
thinking of this it took wing, and flew right away from me towards some salt
marshes, where it pitched again. I followed to the bank, and, upon looking over,
saw it about a mile off, standing on some bare mud. Soon after it was fired at by
some one from a boat which was in a creek near at hand ; and it then flew off to
the westward, and I lost sight of it."
After this, I received several further reports of the bird, which was repeatedly
seen on the marshes and mud-flats between Walton-on-the-Naze and Harwich
for several weeks after. On Oct. 14th, Mr. Kerry reported its having been
seen there in company with some Herons.
Family OTIDIDAE.
Great Bustard : Otis tarda.
There can be no doubt that this interesting species was once
resident in Essex, as in most other parts of England, although
now never seen, except as a rare
and accidental straggler. It was
probably never abundant in this
county, which has few of those wide,
open, uncultivated districts fre-
quented by the bird. However,
on the extensive downs around
Heydon and Chrishall, in the ex-
treme north-eastern corner of the
county, which are exactly suited to
its habits, it was probably once fairly
common—indeed, we have actual
printed evidence of the fact, for in
Addison's Spectator for March 4th,
1712 (No. ccxvii.), occurs the follow-
ing advertisement, to which Yarrell's attention was drawn (14. i. ix.)
by Mr. Joseph Clarke :—
" Heyden, in Essex, near Walden and Royston. The
seat of Sir Peter Soame, Bart., deceased, situate on a Gentle Hill,
with a very large and pleasant Prospect, fair Gardens, Canals, Fish
Ponds, Dove-Coate, and all sorts of Offices without Door, Woods of
large Timber, and where is all Game in great plenty, even to the
Bustard and Pheasant, is to be Let furnished or unfurnished for 16
years. Enquire at Mr. Chus, Bartly Street, Piccadilly, or at Mr.
Cooper's at the Blue Boar in Holborn."