The Bustards. 



i6' 



THE DEMOISELLE 



CRANE. 

 {Anthro/>oiites virgo. 



This beautiful Crane, which is an inhabitant of Southern 

 Europe and Central Asia, has once been shot in the Orkneys, 

 in September, 187 1. It is easily recognised by its long orna- 



mental plumes on the fore-neck, and the white whisker-like tufts 

 of white feathers on the sides of the face. 



The Bustards, though possessing many of the osteological 

 characters which distinguish the Cranes, are very different from 

 the latter birds in external appearance, having a mottled plumage, 

 thickly waved with black cross-markings. The Great Bustard 



THE GREAT 

 BUSTARD. 



(Otis tarda.) 



Macqueen's Bu.stard. The Little Bustard. 



The Great Bustard. 



is the largest European species, and the male has a remarkable pouch in the throat, 

 which is capable of being distended ; the sides of the throat are also furnished with 

 some long bristly plumes like whiskers. Within the present century the Bustard 

 has been e.xtirpated in England as a breeding-bird, but occasional e.xamples are 

 obtained. It inhabits Central and Southern Europe, and is not rare in some 

 countries, such as Poland, Hungary and Spain ; it extends into Central Asia. 



. The food of the Great Bustard consists of small mammals and lizards, and it also 

 eats grass, corn and peas. In the breeding season the display which the male bird 



II* 



