The Bufiard.
Numb. X X X V I I I . X X X IX .
T T is as big as the Turkey, its length from the tip of the Bill to the end
o f the Tail was iixty Inches; its breadth between the Wings, when
extended, two Yards and a half; its Bill like a Hen’s, the upper Chap
being fomething crooked; the Head and Neck are aih coloured, the
Belly white,- the Back is variegated with red and black tranfverfe Lines;
it wants the back Toe, which is efpecially remarkable; for by this Note
alone, and its bignefs, it is fufficiently diftinguiihed from all other Birds
o f this kind: It feeds upon Corn, Seeds o f Herbs, Colworts, Dandelion
leaves, & c . In the Stomach o f one differed was found a great Quantity
of Hemlock Seed, with three or four Grains of Barley, and that in
Harveft time; they 'are found on Newmarket and Royjlon Heaths in
Cambridgihtre and Suffolk, and elfewhere in Waftes and Plains: They
are o f flow flight, and when they are upon the Ground can hardly raife
themfelves from it, by reafon o f the Bulk and .Weight of their Bodies,,
from whence without doubt they got the Latin name ’Tarda.
Dr. Douglas has obferved in the Male two Stomachs, one for the Food
and the other a Refervatory for Water to fupply them, they feeding on
dry Heaths remote from Ponds and Rivers: ' So'me , fay one. may catch
them with ones Hands before they can compofe themfelves. to fly ; but
this is a Miftake: for though it be long before they can raife themfelves.
from the Earth, yet are they very timorous and circumfpeit, and will
not fuffer a Man to come within a Furlong of them,, before they take
Wing and fly away; yet our Fowlers report that they may be run. down
with Greyhounds»
The
S. c/ti/mvdel, Jtvtic 22, tjff 6