442 
OTIS. BUSTARD. 
Generic Character. 
Uostnim conicum, rectum, 
compressum ; mandibula 
superiore ad apicem forni- 
cata. 
ovales, apertae. 
Pedes cursorii ; digiti basi 
membrana connexi. 
Alas mediocres ; remiges 
prima, et quinta aequales et 
breviores quam quarta. 
Otis. Auctorum. 
Beak conic, straight, com- 
pressed ; the upper man- 
dible arched towards the 
tip. 
Nostrils oval, open. 
Leg's formed for running ; 
the toes connected by a 
membrane at the base. 
Whig'S medial ; the first and 
fifth quills equal, and 
shorter than tlie fourth- 
Bustards are heavy birds ; they fly but little ; 
are very wild and shy, and when pursued are slow 
in taking flight, but run with great velocity, in 
which they are assisted by their wings : they 
reside in corn-fields, or on bushy plains : their food 
consists of herbs, grains, seeds, and insects : they 
are polygamous, one male being attended by 
several females. fhey are all natives of the Old 
Continent, and the four last species are distin- 
guished by tile beak being more slender than ia 
the first mentioned. 
