THE GAME BIRD8 OF INDIA, BURMA AND CEYLON. 21 



claws are short and blunt. The tarsi are reticulated with small, 

 often unequal, scales and the toes are scutellated above. 



In some species the males possess a small gular pouch which is 

 connected with an opening under the tongue. 



The tail feathers vary from 16 to 20 in number in different 

 species, and the primaries number 11, the first being of considerable 

 length. 



The young are hatched covered with down and can run about 

 almost immediately after leaving the egg. 



Otididce, of some one or more species, inhabit the three continents 

 of the Old World — Europe, Asia and Africa — and one species — 

 a very close relation of our Great Indian Bustard — is also found in 

 Australia. Some genera and species, such as Otis tarda, extend 

 over a vast extent of country whilst others again, for example 

 Sypheotis, are very local in their distribution. 



Within Indian limits we find six species, which are generally 

 divided into four genera, but many systematists, the late 

 Dr. R. Bowdler-Sharpe amongst others, divide two of our genera, 

 Otis and Sypheotis, yet again. For the purpose of these articles I, 

 however, retain Blanford's classification and omit Sharpe's genera, 

 Tetrax and Houbaropsis. 



KEY TO GENERA. 



A. — No ruff". Sexes differing in size or in 

 breeding plumage. 

 (a) Top of head black. 



a^ Wing over 20" ... ... ... Eupodiiis. 



b^ Wing under 16" ... ... ... Sypheotis. 



(6) Top of head not black. 



a^ Tarsus more than ^ length of wing.. Sypheotis. 



b^ Tarsus ^ length of wing ... ... Otis. 



B. — A ruff on either side of neck. Sexes alike. Houbara. 



Genus— OTIS. 



This genus is now generally divided into two, Otis confined to 

 Otis tarda and its first cousin Otis dybowsJcii and Tetrax which 

 contains only the Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax. There is but little 



