GRUID^. 663 



Bill pale sea green, brownish at the tip ; irides orange red ; 

 legs and feet pale rosy red. Length about 52 inches ; extent 

 nearly 8 feet ; wing 26 inches ; tail 9|- ; bill at front Q^ ; tarsus 

 12i to 13 ; weight 17 or 18 lbs. 



The Sams is found throughout the greater part of India 

 and Burmah ; is rare South of the Godavery, and also apparently 

 in the Punjab, for Adams states that he did not see it there, 

 but common in Central India, Bengal, and parts of the N. W. 

 Provinces, and still more so in Candeish. It is chiefly found in 

 pairs, occasionally several together. 



It feeds less exclusively perhaps on grain than the other 

 Cranes met with in India, and is very generally found not far from 

 water. It breeds on some island or spot nearly surrounded by 

 water, laying two eggs only, of a very pale bluish green colour, 

 with a few reddish spots. The eggs are figured by Blyth in Jardine's 

 Illustrations of Ornitholgy, and he states that it has bred in captivity. 

 The nest is sometimes commenced below water, and is raised 

 some inches above the surface. The young have the head and neck 

 dull ferruginous. The old birds, when sitting, or with their young, 

 are very bold, facing an intruder, be it dog or man, lowering 

 their head and spreading out their large wings in a most formidable 

 looking manner. Its fine trumpet-like call, uttered when alarmed 

 or on the wing, can be heard a couple of miles off. A young 

 Sarus is not bad eating, but old birds are worthless for the table. 

 Some epicures assert the liver to be peculiarly fine. In most 

 parts of the country it is so confiding and fearless in its habits as 

 to preclude the sporstman from shooting it ; and in the territories 

 of Holkar it is, if not venerated, esteemed so highly as to be held_ 

 sacred from the Shikaries, and I have known complaints made 

 against Ofiicers for shooting them. 



The next bird is placed by Bonaparte in a section Leucogeranus 

 of the genus Antigone, distinguished by their white plumage, and 

 having the head and neck only partially nvide. 



864. Grus leucogeranus, Pallas. 



Temminck PL Col. 467. 



The Large White Crane. 

 Descr. — Plumage wholly white, quills black ; tertiarles lengthened. 



