572 



OTITID^E. 



the Cursoridcc, or Courier Plovers ; Glareolidce or Swallow Plovers Chara- 

 dridcB or Sand Plovers; Hcematopodida or Shore Plovers, and the Gruida or 

 Cranes. 



Family, OTITID/E. 



Bill compressed, the tip scooped, and slightly curved ; nostrils in a mem- 

 branous groove, partially closed ; wing, 2nd to 4th quills longest ; tertials 

 nearly as long [as the primaries ; tarsi reticulated ; hind toe absent ; plumage 

 mottled fulvous and black. Food insects, young shoots, and grain. As game 

 all the members of the family Otitidae are eagerly sought after. For the table 

 there is scarcely any other bird so succulent and delicious. 



Gen. Otis. Lin. 



Bill moderately long,, pointed and nearly straight ; legs long, and strong ; 

 tarsi reticulated ; claws short and blunt ; wings ample ; moustachial tufts 

 long. 



1244. OtiS tarda, Linn., Syst. Nut. ii. p. 279 ; MacGillivray, B. 

 J?ur. iv. p. 31 ; Hume, Str. F. vii. p.. 434; id. and. Afarsh., Ga,me Birds p. i. 

 pi. The EUROPEAN BUSTARD.. 



Otis tarda. 



