276 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



The Crane is abundant in Tunisia, both north and south of the 

 Atlas, daring the winter months and periods of migration, but does 

 not appear to breed in the Kegency. 



It is very numerous, and to be found in large flocks on most of the 

 plains and cultivated fields in the immediate vicinity of the town 

 of Tunis and near Carthage, as likewise all along the fertile coast- 

 country of the east of the Regency. Near Gabes and in districts still 

 further south, the species is also to be met with during the winter 

 months. 



In Algeria the Crane is not uncommon in winter and on passage, 

 though apparently less plentiful than it is in Tunisia, particularly 

 in the eastern sea-coast districts of the Regency. 



According to Favier (fide Colonel Irby) the species is common 

 in winter in Marocco, arriving in October and November, and leaving 

 again for the north in February. Mr. Meade-Waldo, however, met 

 with the Crane in flocks on the plain south of the Wad Moorbey 

 on June 9th {Ibis, 1903, p. 214), which would lead one to suppose 

 that the species breeds in that country. 



In Europe the Crane breeds as far north as Lapland and as far 

 south as Spain, in which latter country, according to Colonel Irby 

 (Orn. Strs. Gib., p. 250), some thirty to forty pairs breed, or used 

 to breed, in the district which extends from Tapatanilla along the 

 Laguna de la Janda to Vejer in Andalucia. The marshes of the 

 Guadalquivir used also to be a nesting haunt of the species. 



According to Count Arrigoni, the Crane breeds regularly in the 

 Venetian estuary, and occasionally in some other parts of Italy. The 

 eggs and young of this species are sold in the Venetian Provinces, 

 the price of the latter ranging from 20 to 60 lire the pair, according 

 to their size. The species thrives in captivity, and instances are 

 known of its attaining to a great age in confinement. 



The Crane, it is stated on good authority, used formerly to breed 

 in England, but it can now only be looked upon as an irregular and 

 occasional visitor to our country. The bird, however, must once have 

 been not uncommon in England, as its flesh appears to have been 

 in use as an article of food, and had a regular market price attached 

 to it. I have eaten it in Sicily, and found it excellent, being not 

 unlike very tender mutton. 



The Crane seems to be essentially gregarious, even, according 

 to some authorities, during the breeding season ; not so, however. 



