196



Correspondence



NESTING OF ASIATIC WHITE CRANES


Sirs,— I do not know if the nesting of the two Asiatic White Cranes,

Sacrogeranus leucogeranus, now living opposite the north entrance of

the Zoo, and which arrived in July, 1901, was ever recorded. If not,

such occurred during the time I lived in London (from 1905-1910).


A large collection of dead vegetation (clover, leaves, etc.) was scraped

together, and two eggs laid, the nest being on the ground, and both

birds took part in the incubating. But after sitting for weeks the

eggs were unfertile, which was disappointing, because both male and

female appeared outwardly in good health.


One of them has some blackish feathering running downwards

from the level of the yellow iris and between the joining of the red

beak and face with the white of head, neck, and other parts (except

wings, part black), and this bird would seem to be the male.

Except for this there is nothing (so far as I can see) to distinguish the

sexes, both about the same size and both red-legged, and it therefore

seems worth mentioning as of possible value to some person trying to

breed them in future, they being well-proportioned graceful birds and

an attraction to any scenery where they will live in Britain.


It seems to me as probable that the above failure to fertilize the

eggs was due to some anaemia in one or other parent bird, and should

like to suggest to owners of Cranes that such birds be supplied with

iron in their water ; and also with titbits of food at intervals to improve

and keep the blood in good condition. As showing how fussy these

Cranes are at times, I watched the female of the above pair in the Zoo

pick out a piece of grass apparently too soiled for its liking in that

condition, and give it three long washings in the drinking-water,

extending over about four minutes ! At the end of this it was satisfied

with it and ate it — afterwards eating much grass without washing !


F. D. Welch.


[The Asiatic White Cranes at the Zoological Gardens lay and sit

regularly every year, but the eggs are always infertile, although the

birds are a true pair. This failure on the part of S. leucogeranus in

captivity has been noted in other collections as well. — Eds.]



