STRUTHIONID^. 



419 



SUB-FAMILY II. 



Otidin^. 



The Bustards. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less lengthened and compressed on the sides, with 

 the culmen straight abore the nasal groove, and then vaulted to the tip, 

 which is strongly emarginated ; the nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in a 

 large membranous groove, with the opening large and sub-oval ; the wings 

 moderate and rather pointed ; the tail moderate, broad, and rounded ; 

 the tarsi long and covered with small scales ; the toes short and covered with 

 small narrow scales above; the claws short, broad, and blunt. 



Fig. 168— the great bustard. 

 {Oils tarda.) 



Bustards are found on tlie dry, sandy, or grassy 

 plains, and tlie open cultivated lands of Europe and 

 Asia. They are sliy and wary ; when alarmed, they 

 easily escape by flight, which is strong, swift, and 

 at no great distance from the surface of the ground. 



