BUSTARDS, a family of game birds (Otidida') of the Old World, which, however, are not gallinaceous, but are related in structure on the one hand to the cranes, and on the other to the plovers. They are inland birds, haunting dry, grassy and sandy plains, and in the more settled districts resorting to stubble-fields and pasture-land. They have strong legs and feet, as well as good wing-power, and spend more of their time on the ground than in flight. Most of them are birds of handsome plumage, the upper parts being mottled with brown and red dish tints, set off with white and black. Orna mental plumages are characteristic of the group, and often form crests, or ruffs, about the head, neck and breast. Bustards are known in the Mediterranean regions, and throughout south ern Asia to China and Japan. They also abound all over Africa, and one species (Eupodotis australis) inhabits Australia, where it is called "native turkey?" Those of North Africa and western Asia are known as ehoubaras,D and form the favorite game-birds of that semi desert region. Certain small species of India, favorites with sportsmen, are called efloricans.s The typical, and best-known bustard, however, is Otis tarda, now extinct in Great Britain, but numerous throughout the Mediterranean coun tries. It has somewhat the size and form of
an American turkey, and is the largest and one of the most valuable of European game-birds. A remarkable feature of this species is the fact that a great pouch, opening tinder the tongue, is developed in the throat of the male of some examples during the breeding season. This phenomenon is restricted to adult birds, and the pouch disappears at other times of the year. Its utility is unknown. A much smaller but otherwise similar species, the little bustard (Otis tetrax), is another favorite with Euro pean sportsmen. The term is sometimes errone ously applied to other large birds, such as the Magellanic goose of Argentina. Consult Aflalo,
ir-sitsio, Italy, city in the northern division, 21 miles northwest of Milan. It contains a church, designed by Bra mante, and containing frescoes by Gaudenzio Ferrari. It has manufactures of cotton goods and a trade in wine. Pop. 25,992.