CRANES. 



371 



The Demoiselle Crane ( Gms virgo) is remarkable for two beauti- 

 ful clusters of white feathers, Avbicb are suspended behind its 

 head, and for a black, pend- 

 ent tuft with which nature 

 has adorned its breast. Its 

 size is about the same as that 

 of the species just described, 

 and its shape is still more 

 elegant. It also enjoys in 

 a higher degree the gift of 

 the mimic art. Its slightest 

 movements have an air of 

 aflfectation and mannerism, 

 as if it desired, at any rate, 

 to attract the attention of the 

 sj)ectator ; hence, in French, 

 the name of Demoiselle has 

 been given to it. It is found 

 in Turkey and Southern 

 Russia, in Northern Africa, 

 and in some parts of Asia adjacent to the latter region. 



The Crested Crane {Griis jmvoniiia), or Royal Bird, has the 

 top of its head adorned with a tuft of feathers, which it has the 

 power of spreading out like a fan, so as to form quite a resplendent 

 ornament. About the same size as the two sister-birds, it is 

 slender and graceful. Its voice is very loud. It seeks the 

 acquaintance of man, and readily grows familiar with him. Its 

 chief locations are the eastern and northern coasts of Africa, 

 and also some of the isles in the Mediterranean : according to the 

 ancients, it was formerly common in the Balearic Islands. 



TheAgami, or Hooi^ing Crane {Psophia crepitans, Latham), has a 

 strong and tapering bill, shorter than the head ; long tarsi ; and me- 

 dium-sized toes, the back toe touching the ground at the extremity 

 only. Its wings are short, and, in consequence, it flies with difficulty ; 

 but, to make up for this deficiency, it can run very swiftly. This 

 bird is but little bigger than a domestic Fowl. It is in the habit of 

 uttering at intervals a piercing cry, which seems as if it did not 

 proceed from the bird itself ; this cry has procured for it the name 



bb2 



Fig. 143.— Deinuiselle Crane {Ardea viryo, Linn.). 



