154 AVES. 



with more facility. Sucii as have stronger beaks, also feed on 

 herbs, grain, &c. 



Otis, Lin. 

 The Bustards, in addition to the massive carriage of the Gallinaceae, have a 

 long neck and legs, and moderate beak; its superior mandible being shghtly 

 arcuated and arched, which, as well as the very small membranes between 

 the base of the toes, again recall the idea of the Gallinaceae. But the naked- 

 ness of the lower part of their legs, their whole anatomy, and even the fla- 

 vour of their flesh, place them among the Grallatoriae; and as' they have no 

 thumb, the smaller species approximate closely to the Plovers. Their tarsi 

 are reticulated, and their wings short; they fly but seldom, hardly ever 

 using their wings, except to assist themselves in running. They feed in- 

 differently on grain and herbs, worms and insects. 



0. tarda, L. (The Great Bustard.) Back of a bright fawn colour, 

 crossed with numerous black streaks, the remainder greyish. This spe- 

 cies builds on the ground among the grain. 



Chakadeius, Lin. 



The Plovers have no thumb; the beak is moderate, compressed, and enlarged 

 at the point. 



They may be divided into two subgenera; viz. CEDidrEMUS, Tem. (The 

 Thick-knee), in which the end of the beak is inflated above as well as be- 

 neath, and the fossae of the nostrils only extend half its length : and Chaha- 

 BKius, Cuv. The beak of the True Plovers is only inflated above, and has 

 two-thirds of its length occupied by the nasal fossae, which render it weaker. 

 They live in large flocks, and frequent low grounds, where they strike the 

 earth with their feet, in order to set in motion the worms on which they 

 feed. One is 



Char, pluvialis, L>. (The Golden Plover.) Blackish; the edges of its 

 feathers dotted with yellow; white belly. It is the most common of all, and 

 is found throughout the whole globe. 



Vanellus, Bechst. — Tringa, Lin. 



The Lapwings have the same kind of beak as the Plovers, and are only dis- 

 tinguished from them by the presence of a thumb ; but it is so small that it 

 cannot reach the ground. 



Hjematopus, Lin.(l) 

 The Oyster-catchers have a somewhat longer beak than the Plovers or the 

 Lapwings; it is straight, pointed, compressed into a wedge, and sufficiently 

 strong to enable them to force open the bivalve shells of the animals on 

 which they feed. They also seek for worms in the earth. Their legs are 



(1) Blood-coloured feet 



