Genus OTIS or BUSTARDS. 



Type OTIS TARDA. 



Otis of Linnaeus (1766). — The birds comprising the present 

 genus — and the only one in the family — are separated by the 

 same characters as those that define the Otidid^ from surrounding 

 groups. They have been subdivided into several genera, and 

 the inclusion or omission of the Stone Curlews has been a matter 

 on which systematists have been by no means agreed. At present 

 it seems to me to be the wisest course to include the Bustards 

 under the generic term of Otis, and to remove the closely allied 

 (Edicnemus (birds with a distinct basal web to the toes) to the 

 Charadriid^. 



By placing all the known species of Bustard in one genus, the 

 number of species and their distribution remains the same as 

 those already given in the remarks on the family. Three species 

 are accidental visitors to, but one formerly bred in, the British 

 Islands. 



The Bustards are dwellers on the open plains and steppes. 

 They are birds of powerful and rapid flight, but are most addicted 

 to the ground, where they Walk and run with ease. Their notes 

 are neither very loud nor very musical. They make slight nests on 

 the ground, and their eggs are from two to four or five in number, 

 and spotted. Their food consists of grain, seeds, buds 

 and leaves of plants, and insects. The flesh of some is highly 

 esteemed. 



H 2 



