304 



THE DEMOISELLE CRANE. 



cry is repeated by the flock, cnch answcrinjr, to give notice that It fcl 

 Ic vs and keeps its rank. 1'he fliglit of the Crane is always supported 

 uniformly, though it is maikcd by diiVercnt inflections: and these 

 variations have been observed to indicate a change of weather. 



When the Cranes are assembled on the ground, they are said tc 

 FCt guards during the night; and the circumspection of these bii Jg 

 has even been consecrated in ancient hieroglyphics, as symbols of 

 vigilance. 



According to Kolben, Cranes arc often observed in large flocks in 

 the marslies about the Cape of Good II()}>e. lie says, that he never saw 

 a flock of them on the ground, which had not some birds placed ap- 

 parently as sentinels, on watch while the others were feeding. These 

 sentinels stand on one leg; and, at intervals, stretch out their necks, 

 as if to observe that all is safe. AVhen notice of danger is given, the 

 wliole flock rise on wing and fly away 



THE DEMOISELLE CRANE. 



This bird is chiefly remarkable for the considerable idea that it 

 appears to have res]:)ecting the beauty of its own person. Its deport* 

 ment is very singular, and at times even ludicrous. Whenever it 

 takes it into its he;id to be ridiculous, it does so \Tiost eflectually, and 

 ailbelcdly also. It moves about with a consctiuential air, hanging 



its head fir.st on one side and then 

 on the other. It then will run some 

 twenty or thirty yards, trcailing only 

 on the tips of its toes, as if it wore 

 white satin shoes, and were trying to 

 pick its wav over a very dirty road. 

 Then it will have a little dance all to 

 itself, and suddenly stand still again 

 quite grave ami composed, as if it liad 

 Iteen doing nothing at all. From these 

 habits, cynical naturalists have named 

 r-^'-^'^^^^f^^^/^^^^r in the Demoiselle. It is rather a tall 



^ ^ ^W'Z^^^ bird, being between three and four 



THE DEMOISELLE CRANE. ICCt lU Uelgnt, 



THE WHITE STORK. 



The length of the White Stork is about three feet. The bill is nearly 

 eight inches long, and of a fine red color. The plumage is wholly 

 Avhite; except the orbits of the eyes, which are bare and blackish: 

 some of the feathers on the side of the back and on the wings are black. 

 The skin, the legs, and the bare part of the thighs, are red. 



The White Storks are semi-domestic birds, haunting towns and 

 cities; and, in many places, stalking unconcernedly about tiie .streets, 

 in search of offal and other food. They remove noxious filth, and 

 clear the fields of serpents and reptiles. On this account they are pro- 

 tected in Holland, and are held iu high veneration by the INIahome- 

 duns , 



