SYPHEOTIDES. 577 



crouches down, trusting to its colour, which is exactly that of the ground, 

 and to being so exactly similar when in this position to the several stones 

 lying around it, to escape observation. The circle gradually becomes smaller 

 and smaller, until the bird is brought within range. Most men shoot it on 

 the ground, but as a rule I have found it better sport and easier to let the 

 bird rise before firing, and then dropping it on the wing, The bird fancying 

 that (like an ostrich) when its head is hidden its whole body is out of sight, 

 seldom, if ever, moves unless the camel stops in its circling, and even then its 

 flight is so slow, as to make it almost impossible even for an ordinary shot to 

 miss. 



" As a game bird, the Oobara is perhaps one of the greatest delicacies that 

 can be put upon the table, while its feathers are invaluable to the fishermen 

 for salmon flies ; and there is a little tuft of feathers just under the point 

 of ihe shoulder which is greatly prized by the fair sex as an ornament for 

 hats. 



" All about Kurrachee is a very favourite country for Oobara, but, as may 

 be imagined, anywhere within a radius of eight or ten miles they do not get 

 much rest, and, in order to make a really good bag, it is now necessary to go 

 beyond that distance. The nearest good spot I know of, where a day's sport 

 can be had without finding another man stalking over the same plain, is about 

 twenty-five miles by rail." At Mayting and Jempeer stations, on the S. P. and 

 D, line, this Bustard is numerous, and it is not uncommon to see a bag from 

 these places of from 10 to 12 a day. 



Gen. Sypheotldes. Lesson. 



Bill broad at base and ridged above ; nostrils elongate ; more than half of 

 tibia bare. 



1248. Sypheotides bengalensis (Gmel.\ Jerd., B. Ind. \\\. 



p. 616; Hume> Nests and Eggs Ind, B. p. 559 ; id. and Marsh., Game Birds 

 i. p. 4 pi. Otis deliciosa (Gray), Hardw., III. Ind. Zool. i. pis. 61 and 62. 

 Otis himalayanus, Gould, Cent. Him. S. t pis. 73, 74, 75. The BENGAL 

 FLORIKIN. 



In breeding dress the male has the whole head, which is fully crested, neck, 

 breast, and lower parts with the thigh coverts glossy black ; the breast feathers 

 elongated, and those of the neck in front also elongated ; back, scapulars, 

 tertiaries, rump and upper tail coverts rich olive buff, closely and minutely 

 mottled with black zigzag markings, and a black dash in the centre of each 

 feather ; shoulders, wing coverts and quills white, the tips, shafts and outer 

 edges of the first three primaries black ; tail black, minutely mottled with buff 

 and with a broad white tip. Bill dusky above, yellowish beneath ; irides brown ; 

 legs pale dirty yellowish. (Jerd.) 

 VOL. II. 75 



