GA.LLINACE.E. 337 



Perdix,* the Partridge. 



Receding still farther from the Pheasants than the 

 preceding, in the shortness of the tail, the slender- 

 ness of the bill, and the general contour, the Par- 

 tridges seem to lead through the Quails (Ortyx,^} in 

 some of which the tail is so short as to be nearly im- 

 perceptible, and the hind toe entirely wanting, to the 

 next group we have to notice. The Tinamoos, in- 

 deed, (CrypturuSf'f) are remarkable, in addition, for a 

 long and slender neck. These birds, comprehending 

 many sub-genera, are found scattered over both the 

 Old and New World. 



Otis, the Bustard. 



This genus, of which a British species, the Great 

 Bustard (O. Tarda), is the largest European bird, is 

 evidently the connecting link between the true Poul- . 

 try birds and the Ostriches. They have a long neck, 

 and stand high upon the feet ; the toes are but three, 

 all pointing forward. They rarely fly, but run very 

 swiftly, assisting themselves, as the Ostrich does, with 

 outspread wings. They feed on grain, and insects, 

 and even small quadrupeds. The Great Bustard, 

 now very rare in England, yet still occasionally seen 



* Its Latin name, 

 t Their Greek name. 



+ Kgwrros, kruptos, hidden, and ^a, oz<ra, the tail. 

 The Greek name of the Bustard. 

 VOL. I. Q 



