Little Bustard

An allied species which ranges from southern Europe and northern Africa throughout central Asia is known as the Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax). It is much smaller than the last, being only about seventeen inches long, and is without the whisker-like feathers on the cheeks, but possesses a full tuft of elongated plumes on the nape and hind neck. In color it is sandy buff above, coarsely vermiculated with black, and mainly white below, with two broad bands of black across the lower neck and breast. The female is lighter colored and is without the black bands in front. After nesting in the northern part of their range they return, to the number of millions, to their winter homes, where they frequent the plains and are difficult of approach. Their habits are similar to those of the larger species.