Eupodotis edwardsi, J . E . G R A Y .
Vernacular Names.—[Toogder, Punjab; Sohun chirya, Gugumbher, Hookna,
Gwaiior, Jhdnsi, &c. ; Gurayin, tlaridna, Punjab ; Hoom, (Marathi,)
Kkandesh, Ndsik, Betul, Central Provinces, &>c. ; Kara-dhouk, Maklhouk,
Deccan ; Gurahna, Sind, Thar and Pdrkar; Butt-meka, Bat-myaka, (Telugu),
Heri-hukki, Ad-koojina-hukki, (Canarese), Mysore.}
/SfiB^i^ H O U G H certainly by no means furnishing; a delicate s~j|p§E. dish for the table, our Great Indian Bustard, partly SvHMjf on account of its general wariness and the difficulty
$m||Pj&, one has in most parts of the country in approaching
S M S M ^ it, and partly on account of its beautifully vermicel- %)?rc5fr lated and gamey plumage, has always been reckoned
" W ^ * 0 ' a prize worthy of a sportsman's pursuit.
How far south this Bustard extends, I cannot certainly say. It
does not occur in Ceylon, nor have I any record of its occurrence
(though this is quite possible) in Tinnevelly, Madura, or anywhere
southwards of the N/lgiris. In Mysore, it is not rare, and northwards
of Mysore it is found in suitable localities throughout
the Bombay Presidency (including Kathiawar and Cutch, in
the former of which it is very abundant, and Sind where,
save in the Thar and Parkar, it is very rare), except in the
strip of country below the Ghats on the Western Coast. It
occurs equally in the Nizam's Territory, Berar, the Central
Provinces, as far east as Sambalpur, the Central India Agency,
Rajputana,including Ajmere, and the Punjab, including Bahawalpur.
It nowhere, that I know of, crosses the Jumna northwards
or eastwards into the North-Western Provinces, though it
approaches this river closely everywhere. I have seen it near
Karnal, Delhi, Gurgaon, Dholpur, in the north of Gwaiior, and
in the Banda district, and I have heard of its occurring quite
close to Allahabad across the Jumna.
In Oudh, it used, I am told, to be not uncommon, though it is
now, I fear, almost, if not quite, extinct there. I do not know that
it has ever occurred in the North-Western Provinces, north and
east of the Jumna, or below Allahabad north of the Ganges, or
in Behar, or any part of Bengal, Orissa, or Chota Nagpore, but it
may occur in Sasseram and Gya, as I have been informed (though
this requires confirmation) that it has been shot in Mirzapur
and Rewah.