234 
POPULAR HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
seen in the Zoological Gardens — limited field for birds so 
essentially constructed for vagabond habits — have a large 
body, which seems at first sight too great for their legs. On 
closer inspection, we remark the great strength and com- 
parative thickness of these supports, and the firm compact 
toes and absence of the hind one, which enable them to run 
with such swiftness. Their heads being large, and their 
eyes proportionate to them, give them a peculiarly meditative 
look ; added to, doubtlessly, by that want of foot exercise 
so congenial to their habits in a state of nature. Though 
the plumage in many of the species is sombre, and w^ell 
fitted to keep them from detection, many of the Asiatic and 
African kinds are very showily arrayed ; the males of some 
of these bustards having banner-like displays of feathers 
about their neck or elsewhere, with deep black or greyish- 
blue feathers covering the under parts of their body. They 
are birds generally with a stoutish depressed bill ; and having 
capacious stomachs, they soon acquire plenty of fine muscle, 
and often get very fat. The smaller Indian species, called 
Moriken,^^ are much sought after by sportsmen. 
The Honourable Daines Barrington, in his ^ Miscellanies"^,^ 
tells us that Dr. Douglas was, be believed, the first to dis- 
* Note, p. 553. 
