Order YII. GRALLJ]. Linnaeus. 



This Order comprehends a large series of Birds, that have 

 the lower portion of their tibiae, or thighs, naked, and the 

 tarsi lengthened, rounded, and slender. 



The First Family, OTIDID^, Selys., 



have the bill rather short, stout, broad at the base, somewhat 

 compressed towards the tip ; upper mandible convex, and 

 slightly curved ; nostrils in a large membranous groove; wings 

 ample, more or less pointed ; legs I'ong, rather stout ; tarsi 

 reticulated ; toes, three before, which are united at their base 

 by a membrane ; hind toe always absent ; claws short, and 

 blunt. 



The Sub-Family, OTIDIN^, or Bustards, 



have the bill more or less lengthened or compressed on the 

 sides, with the culmen straight above the nasal groove, and 

 then vaulted to the tip, which is strongly emargiuated ; the 

 nostrils basal, lateral, and placed in a large membranous 

 groove, with the opening large and suboval ; 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, blunt, and broad. 



Genus EUPODOTIS, Lesson. 



Bill more or less lengthened, and rather slender, broad at 

 the base, and the sides gradually compressed to the tip, which 

 is emarginated ; the culmen rather depressed, and straight 

 above the nasal groove, and then slightly curved to the tip ; 

 gonys generally long and straight ; the nostrils basal, lateral, 

 placed in a large nasal groove, partly closed by a membrane, 



