OTIS AURITA, Latham. 



Pas-savage Bustard. 



PLATE XL. 



Mas. — 0. nigra, gula auribusque albis, supra fulvo-fusca, maculis fasciisque nigris, 

 tectricibus parvis alarum albis, quatuor plumis setaceis utrinque post auribus 

 sursum surgentibus. 



Fcem. — 0. gula alba, supra fulva nigris maculis fasciisque, subtus pallidior. 



Otis aurita, Lath. Ind. Ornith. v. ii. p. 660. s. 7. 



Passarage Bustard, Lath. Syn. Supp. p. 228. — Gen. Ornith. v. viii. p. 365. sp. IS. 



Curmoor or Florikan, Forbes, Orient. Mem. 



A he great similarity which exists in the plumage of this family, and the 

 periodical changes to which it appears the males of many of the species are 

 subject, has caused considerable confusion, and no little difficulty, in the 

 proper identification of the smaller kinds which are found in India, and 

 other parts of the ancient continent. The peculiar tufts of slender elastic 

 feathers which arise on each side of the head, immediately behind the ear- 

 coverts, are, however, sufficient to distinguish this bird, or at least the 

 male in this dress, from all the other nearly allied species. Latham, in his 

 Index Ornithologicus, and in his General History of Birds, has correctly 

 described it under the title of Otis aurita, or Passarage Bustard. It is al- 

 so described by Forbes in his Oriental Memoirs, and a figure of it given, 

 but under the title of a very different species, viz. the Otis Houbara, or 

 Ruffed Bustard. Stephens, in his Continuation of Shaw's General Zoo- 

 logy, vol. xi. has placed it under the head of the Indian Bustard, having 

 attached the synonyms of Otis aurita to that species. But the Otis Ben- 

 galensis, or Indian Bustard of Latham, cannot, from the description he 

 has given of it, and its superior size, be referable to this species. Accord- 

 ing to the notes furnished by our correspondent from India, it is stated to 

 be of much rarer occurrence than many of the other Bustards which 

 inhabit that country. Like its congeners, it is of a very wild and retired 

 disposition, inhabiting the plains and open districts. It is much sought 



o 



