§
Genus OTIS.
G e h . C h a k . B i l l moderate, straight, depressed a t th e base, and h a vin g th e poin t o f the u pper
man dible cu rv ed. N os tr ils removed from th e base, lateral, oval, and open. ■ L e g s lo n g
n a k ed ab ove th e k n ee. Tarsi reticulated. Toes three, a ll forw a rd , short, united at the
base, an d b o rd e red w ith membranes. Wings o f mean len g th , the third quill-feathe r the
longest.
GR E A T BUSTARD.
Otis tarda , Lin n .
L ’Ou ta rd e b arbue.
As man extends his dominion over the globe, many races o f animals, and among them the present family,
will gradually disappear from the haunts where they now abound, and linger only in localities which hold out
no inducements to the exertions o f human enterprise. Africa then, we may venture to predict, will afford on
its extensive plains the last asylum in which the Bustard may find security, till at length, like the Dodo, many
species o f this stately family will become extinct, leaving only their remains for our investigation.
So nearly has the Great Bustard become annihilated in the British Islands that it is even doubtful whether
any males still exist to accompany the few old females which remain on some o f the extensive inclosures and
large fields o f turnips in the counties o f Norfolk and Suffolk. On the Continent, as might be supposed, with
the exception o f Holland, the Great Bustard is tolerably numerous ; a circumstance to be accounted for by
the comparative thinness o f the population and by the wide and extended plains which there exist. From the
sandy deserts o f Spain and Italy, which afford a congenial nursery wherein it may dwell and rear its young in
safety, its range extends as far north as Siberia and Kamtschatka, but no example o f this genus has ever been
seen in America.
The eggs are two in number, o f an olive green colour with slight darker variations ; they are rather larger
than those o f the Turkey, and are deposited on the bare ground among the herbage, frequently in clover,
trefoil, and com. The young are hatched in a month, and from the day on which they are excluded from the
shell they follow their parents over the plain until the M owing spring. The Great Bustard rarely takes
wing unless so hard pressed as to have no other chance o f escape, but runs with great strength and swiftness
for the distance o f several miles.
As an article o f food the flesh o f the Bustard is highly esteemed, and on the Continent the bird is frequently
to be seen exposed in the markets for sale.
The food o f this bird consists o f various kinds o f grain, to which are added the tender leaves and shoots o f
trefoil and other vegetables ; nor does it disregard snails, insects, mice, &c.
The male has a large and membranous stomach, and possesses a lengthened gular pouch, extending down
the fore part o f the neck, the entrance o f which is situated beneath the tongue ; although the purpose o f this
pouch is not yet clearly ascertained, it is supposed by some to be formed for holding water, with which it
might supply itself, the female, or young during the period o f incubation ; “ yet,” says Mr. Selby, “ this supposition
does not carry with it much probability, as the male is never seen in close company with the female
except previous to the time o f laying thus leaving us still in doubt what precise purpose this singular
organ is designed to perform.
The general weight o f the male when in good condition is from twenty-eight to thirty pounds, and when
fully adult, which is not until it is at least five or six years old, may be distinguished from the female not only
by its larger size, but also by the lengthened wiry feathers which spring from the sides o f the face and extend
backwards for several inches, and by the rich band o f dark grey which crosses on the chest from side to side.
The head, nape, and fore part o f the neck and chest fine ashy grey; a streak o f brown passes from the top
o f the head to the occiput ; chin, throat, and mustaches white ; lower part of the neck and sides o f the chest
rich chestnut brown inclining to reddish orange, strongly barred, variegated with black and grey ; secondaries
and greater coverts grey ; quills black ; tail-feathers white at their base and tip, the intermediate space being
barred with black and reddish brown ; belly and vent white ; legs brownish black ; beak bluish grey.
The female resembles the male in the colour o f her plumage, but differs from him in wanting altogether
the mustaches and in being only about half his size.
The Plate represents an adult male and female rather less than half the natural size.