580 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



Genus OTIS. 



The genus Otis was included by Linnaeus, in 1766, in the twelfth edition 

 of his ' Systema Naturae 5 (i. p. 264), and the Great Bustard (the Otis otis 

 of Brisson) is universally admitted to be the type. 



The Bustards very closely resemble the Stone-Curlews; but have a 

 slightly shorter bill, with the chin-angle less conspicuous ; the wings are 

 somewhat less pointed, and the style of coloration is more vermiculated, 

 resembling that of the Grouse. The tarsus is reticulated before and 

 behind. 



The genus Otis contains about twenty-six species, which are found 

 throughout the temperate and tropical portions of the Old World with the 

 exception of Madagascar and the islands of the Malay Archipelago. They 

 are most numerous in the Ethiopian Region. Two species are resident 

 on the continent of Europe, both of which are accidental visitors to the 

 British Islands, and two others are accidental stragglers, one of which 

 occasionally visits us. 



The Bustards are steppe-birds, only frequenting large tracts of open 

 country. They are ground-birds, running and walking with ease ; but fly 

 well and rapidly. Their food is principally composed of the leaves and 

 buds of plants, grain, and insects. Their nests are very slight, being little 

 more than depressions in the ground ; and the eggs are olive-brown or 

 green, spotted and blotched with dark brown. 



