“CURSORES. OTIS. 325 
‘Orprr XI. RUNNERS. CURSORES, Zemm. 
CHARACTERS OF THE ORDER. 
Bill short, or of mean length. Legs long, and denuded 
‘above the knee. ‘Toes two; or three, all directed forwards. 
This order, which seems to connect the Galline with the 
Grallatores, may be separated into~two divisions; the first 
containing those genera, the species of which, from the short- 
“ness of their wings, are incapable of flight, and amongst these 
are the largest of the feathered race, the ostrich, .cassowary, 
-emu, &c. ; the second comprising those of which the wings 
are sufficiently produced to enable them to fly. The birds 
of this order are inhabitants of the plains, and frequently of 
‘sandy deserts, feeding upon herbs, grain, and insects. ‘They 
all run with great swiftness, which appears to be their chief 
_ pace. Such of the order as are capable of flight, when in 
‘this action, stretch out-their legs behind them. In disposi- 
tion these birds are shy and.savage. ‘They are polygamous. 
“Genus XLIV. BUSTARD. OTIS, Linn. 
GENERIC CHARACTERS. 
Bill of mean length, nearly straight, compressed, or de- 
pressed at the base, and having the point of the upper man- 
dible curved. Nostrils removed from-the base; lateral, oval, 
and open. Legs long, naked above the knee. ‘Tarsus reti- _ 
culated. ‘Toes three, all forward, short, united at the base, 
and bordered with membranes. Wings of mean length ; 
the third quill-feather the longest in each wing. 
The heavy form of the Bustards, and the shape of the 
bill, approximate them to the Gallinaceous order ; but their 
Jong and naked legs, their anatomy, and the appearance and 
