THE BUSTARD. 



The bustards have a somewhat convex bill, with open and 

 oblong nostrils. The legs are long, and naked above the 

 knees. The feet have only three toes, all placed forward. 



There are about twelve different species, all of which are con- 

 fined to the old continent. 



THE GREAT BUSTARD. 



This is the largest land fowl produced in our island, the male 

 often weighing twenty-five pounds and upwards. The length 

 is near four feet, and the breadth nine. The head and neck are 

 ash-coloured. The back is transversely barred with black, and 

 bright rust colour. The belly is white ; and the tail, consisting 

 of twenty feathers, is barred with red and black. The legs are 

 dusky. On each side of the lower mandible of the bill, there is 

 a tuft of feathers about nine inches long. 



The female is not much more than half the size of the male. 

 The top of her head is of a deep orange, and the rest of the 

 head brown. Her colours are not so bright as those of the 

 male, and she wants the tuft on each side of the head. There 

 is likewise another very essential difference between the male and 

 the female : the former being furnished with a sack, or pouch, 

 situated in the fore part of the neck, and capable of containing 



