RASORES. OTIS. 441 



They are polygamous. In Britain we only possess two spe- 

 cies, both belonging to the genus Otis. 



GENUS OTIS, LINN. BUSTARD. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



BILL of mean length, nearly straight, compressed, or de- 

 pressed at the base, and having the point of the upper man- 

 dible curved. Nostrils removed from the base ; lateral, oval, 

 and open. Legs long, naked above the knee. Tarsus reti- 

 culated. Toes three, all forward, short, united at the base, 

 and bordered with membranes. Wings of mean length ; the 

 third quill-feather the longest in each wing. 



The heavy form of the Bustards, and the shape of the bill, 

 approximate them to the true Gallinaceous birds ; but their 

 long and naked legs, and the appearance and flavour of their 

 flesh, also bring them near to the order Grallatores. 



They inhabit open countries, living amongst the grass, 

 corn, or low brushwood. Their food is herbage, grain, and 

 insects. They run swiftly, and fly but seldom. They are 

 polygamous; and the females, after fecundation, separate 

 from the males. Their moult is double, and the males of 

 this genus are distinguished from the other sex by a brighter 

 and more varied plumage, or by the accession of extraordi- 

 nary ornaments. 



