BUSTARDS. 89 



surmounts the head. The feathers of the body are black, and 

 for the most part double. It runs almost as rapidly as the Ostrich. 

 It inhabits the Indian archipelago. 



18. The Cassowary of New Holland, — Casuartus Novce Hol- 

 la ndice, — is of a brownish gray, and almost the whole head as 

 well as the neck, is covered with fringed feathers. Its speed is 

 greater than that of the preceding species. Its flesh resembles 

 beef. 



FAMILY OF PRESSIROSTRES. 



19. The Pressirostres, like the Brevipennes, and many of the 

 Longirostres, are high on their legs, and without a thumb, or 

 the thumb is too short to touch the ground; their beak is of 

 moderate length and sufficiently strong to dig the earth in search 

 of worms ; their wings are sometimes short, but can always be 

 used in flight. {Plate 5, Jig. 6, and?.) 



20. This family is composed of the Bustards, the Plovers, the 

 Lapwings, and some other genera, the characters of which are 

 as follows : 



(Genera.) 



Very short, - . - . y Bustards. 



f Moderate. C Without a thumb )- Plovers. 



I •> ^ ^ / With a thumb, 5^ Lapwings. 



Pretty long; | 



0-1 \^ beak t Strong and pointed, . . y Ovster-Catchers. 



21. The Bustards, — Otis, — are large, heavy birds that resem- 

 ble the Gallinaceae in the massive form of their bodies, and in 

 having the upper mandible slightly vaulted. Their wings are 

 short, and they fly but little ; most commonly like the Ostriches, 

 they employ them only to accelerate their speed when running. 

 Their food consists of grains, herbs, worms and insects. 



Two species are found in Europe, namely; the great Bustard, 

 and the Little Bustard. 



22. The Great Bustard, — Otis tarda, — which is of a bright 

 fawn colour, crossed with numerous black streaks on the back, 

 and grayish on the rest of the body, attains to more than three 

 feet in length ; the male is the largest of European birds ; the 

 female is about one third smaller. It is a timid bird, and keeps 



18. How is the Cassowary of New Holland characterised .' 



19. How are the Pressirostres characterised ? 



20. What genera compose this family ? 



21. What are the characters of Bustards ? Upon what do they feed ? 

 02. Wliat are the characters of the Great Bustard ? What are its habits ? 



