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STRUTHIONID-ffi. 
The family of the Struthionidce, or Ostriches, is, in 
all countries, extremely limited in numbers, and 
contains birds of a very large size ; in Europe we 
have only one representing genus in the Bustard, 
and the stronghold may be said to he in Africa 
and India, in the deserts and plains of which we 
see the ostrich and cassowary, besides several spe- 
cies of large bustards. In America and New Hol- 
land they are still more limited. 
Otis Link. — Generic characters Bill nearly 
straight, slightly depressed at the base; nos- 
trils open ; legs long, having the tarsi naked 
above the knees ; toes, three directed forwards, 
short, bordered with a scutellated membrane ; 
wings long and powerful, second, third, and 
fourth quills largest, nearly equal, first narrow 
towards the point. 
Type, 0 . tarda. Europe, Asia, Africa, New 
Holland. 
Note. — Inhabit plains and open countries, or 
with a thick clothing of rank vegetation ; poly- 
gamous ; run swiftly. 
The Great Bustard, Otis tarda. — Oularde 
barbue, Temtn. — Bustard, or Great Bustard of 
British authors. — The Great or European Bustard, 
