26 OTIN.E. 



The legs are long, rather slender ; tibia bare to a con- 

 siderable extent ; tarsus long, reticulated ; toes short, margi- 

 nate, flattened beneath, with short basal membranes, the 

 hind toe generally wanting; claws short, arched, convex, 

 obtuse. 



The plumage is moderately developed, compact, with 

 large plumule ; the wings large, pointed ; the tail short, of 

 twelve or more feathers. 



The Otinae inhabit chiefly the desert plains of the warmer 

 parts of the Old Continent. They are as remarkable as the 

 Ostriches for their great speed of foot, though, having wings 

 of ample size, they have a correspondingly strong and sus- 

 tained flight. Most of them feed on vegetable substances, 

 insects, and other smaller animals. The males are larger 

 and handsomer than the females. The nests are formed on 

 the ground ; the eggs are not numerous ; and the young, 

 covered with down, run from the first. 



Four species occur in Britain ; all of them very rare there, 

 though the Great Bustard was formerly numerous. 



SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH GENERA AND SPECIES. 



GENUS I. OTIS. BUSTARD. 



Bill shorter than the head, moderately stout, depressed at 

 the base, compressed toward the end, the tip narrowed, but 

 obtuse ; the gape-line little arched. Nostrils nearly basal, 

 linear-oblong, direct; nasal sinuses large, feathered at the 

 base. Legs long, rather slender; tarsus reticulated; toes 

 three, short, marginal, with short basal webs ; claAvs convex, 

 obtuse. AVings long, broad, rather pointed, the third quill 

 longest ; tail short, of more than twelve feathers. 



1. Otis Tarda. Great Bustard. Tail of twenty feathers, 

 male about forty-four inches long. 



2. Otis Tetrax. Little Bustard. Tail of sixteen feathers. 

 Male about eighteen inches long. 



