AVES— CRANE. 



627 



THE BALEARIC CRANE,* 



For a long time continued unknown, till we became acquainted with ihe 

 birds cf tropical climates, when one of the crane kind with a topping was 

 brought into Europe, and described by Aldrovandus as Pliny's balearic crane. 

 It is remarkable for the lightness and elegance of its proportions, and the 

 gracefulness and variety of its attitudes. Its forehead is covered by a thick 

 tuft of short velvety feathers of a soft and brilliant black. The bill and 

 legs are of the same hue. The long, slender feathers, descending on the 

 neck, and the broader ones with which the upper and under surface of its 

 body are clothed, are black, with a slight tinge of lead color; the primary 

 wing feathers are black ; the secondary, reddish brown ; the wing-coverts 

 white. The naked cheeks and temples are of a delicate rose color ; and the 

 yellow filaments of its crest terminate in blackish pencils. This bird comes 

 from the coast of Africa and the Cape de Verd Islands. It grows to the 

 height of four feet. As it runs, it stretches out its wings, and goes very 

 swiftly, otherwise its usual motion is very slow. In their domestic state, 

 they walk very deliberately among other poultry, and suffer themselves to be 

 approached by every spectator. They never roost in houses ; but about 

 night, when they are disposed to go to rest, they search out some high wall, 

 on which they perch in the manner of a peacock. Indeed, they so much re- 

 semble that bird in manners and disposition, that some have described them 

 by the name of the sea peacock. But thougli their voice and roosting be 

 similar, their food, which is entirely greens, vegetables, and barley, seems to 

 make some difference. 



1 Grus pavoniva, Temm. 



