Bustards

Birds of the family Otide, of large size, resembling the American Turkey, and esteemed as much for food. They have rather long, stout legs with three toes, the hind one absent. They run and fly well. Their food is vegetable, gathered on the steppes. They are becoming extinct in many parts of Europe; 35 species have been described from Africa, two occur in Europe, many in Asia, and some in Australia. Otis tarda is the Great Bustard of Europe. It has a large pouch of the œsophagus, beneath the chin, which is inflated during the breeding season. O. tetras is the Little Bustard of Europe, about as large as the Grouse. Houbara mac queen i i of western Asia is hunted by means of camels circling round a flock until within shooting-distance. The plumage harmonizes so perfectly with the sand that they are hard to see.