144 JUNGLE FOLK 



nevertheless it spends much time out of water and feeds 

 chiefly on terra firma. It is probably a bird that is 

 undergoing evolution, a bird that is changing its habits. 

 It has taken to a more or less terrestrial existence, but 

 has not yet lost what I may perhaps call the aquatic 

 waddle. While walking it looks as though it might lose 

 its balance at any moment. As a matter of fact, the 

 goose is no mean pedestrian, and is capable of per- 

 forming considerable journeys on foot. When pressed, 

 it can show a fine turn of speed. This I have had some 

 opportunity of observing in the Zoological Gardens at 

 Lahore. A crane (Grus antigone) is confined in the 

 water-birds' enclosure along with the ducks, geese, 

 pelicans, etc. Now, cranes are the most frolicsome and 

 playful of birds. In no other fowl is the sense of 

 humour more highly developed. The crane in question 

 continually indulges in " cake walks," and cuts other 

 mad capers. Sometimes it is seized with the impulse 

 to " clear the decks," that is to say, the banks of the 

 ornamental pond. The operation is conducted as 

 follows : The crane opens out its wings, takes two 

 wild jumps into the air, then rushes at the nearest 

 duck or goose, with wings expanded, looking as though 

 it were going through one of the figures of the serpen- 

 tine dance. The frightened duck flees before the 

 crane ; the latter keeps up the chase until the duck 

 takes refuge in the water. Having succeeded in its 

 object, the crane trumpets loudly and performs a dance 

 which a Red Indian on the war-path could scarcely 

 hope to emulate. It next turns its attention to some 

 other inoffensive duck or goose. It is while being thus 



