THE LITTLE BUSTARD Otis tetrax, Linnæus
Reading edition
The Little Bustard is only a scarce visitor, and has most frequently occurred on our southern and eastern coasts. It 293 is a south European species, but breeds regularly on the plains of France, where it arrives in April and leaves in September.
The general colour of both sexes is sandy brown, streaked and vermiculated with black on the upper parts; the under parts are chiefly white. In summer the male has the throat and upper breast black, shading to grey on the chin, and crossed with irregular white bars. Length 17 in.; wing 9·5 in.