474 DR. J. MURIK ON THE GULAR POUCH OF OTIS. [JlUie 2."), 



They were both placed in the paddock along with other specimens 

 of the Bustard tribe. 



No particular change was observed in them until the beginning of 

 May 1867, when one began " to show off " as the keeper termed it, 

 and this bird continued to do so at intervals until the end of June, 

 after which it resumed its usual quiet and stately demeanour. 



During the current year (1868), about the same time, namely the 

 beginning of May, the same phenomenon has occurred, and this has 

 continued up till the present date (24th June), but is now visibly 

 declining. 



This "showing off," which is in truth a most extraordinary sight, 

 may best be comprehended by a study of the accompanying sketch 

 (Plate XXXVI.) drawn from nature during one of those paroxysmal 

 periods of excitement. 



The premonitory symptoms observable when the Bustard is about 

 to exhibit himself in the pride of lust (for such it seems to me to be) 

 is a slight swelling of the inframandibular portion of the throat, 

 while the head is thrown upwards. Immediately afterwards the 

 neck swells and the feathers of the lower parts concomitantly bulge 

 out and descend gradually downwards in the form of a bag, oftentimes 

 nearly reaching the ground. 



If the paroxysm is a strong one, then the tail is shot upwards and 

 forwards over the back, the rectrices coming almost in contact with 

 the neck. 



In this peculiar attitude, with bloated neck, hanging baggy chest, 

 elevated tail, and stiff stilt-like legs, the creature struts about in a 

 somewhat waddling manner, the elongated pouch swaying to and 

 fro. The feathers of the throat start out on end ; those of the de- 

 pending sac are also raised, but less upright. While all this has 

 taken place the bird seems to have gulped in the air, or rather, 

 with partly opened gape, to have taken a long, deep and forced 

 inspiration. 



The acme of inspiratory effort and strange attitude attained, the 

 Bustard begins to snap the mandibles together in a loud manner and 

 utter a series of cooing sounds for a short interval of time. Usually, 

 and more frequently, he struts towards the female Bustards in a 

 most dignified manner, or, oblivious as to sex, totters up to any of the 

 birds in the same enclosure. 



Occasionally the paroxysm is less marked, and he sits or stands, 

 blowing out in a playful manner the subglobular dilatation under 

 the maxillae, but not throwing down the pouch or erecting the 

 tail. 



This periodical excitement, although lasting altogether about a 

 couple of months, does not continue with vigour the whole of that 

 time. In the beginning of May it is observed at distant intervals, 

 and chiefly the puffing out of the throat occurs. Towards the end 

 of that month the paroxysms take place oftener, and the whole se- 

 quelae of the phenomenon are passed through. By the commence- 

 ment of June the bird "shows off" very often, and most grandly ; 

 before the middle of that month the greatest frequency of the pa- 



