278 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



extend backwards ; primaries black ; long secondary plumes tipped witb 

 blackish ; tail slate-colour. 



Iris red ; bill olive-brown, reddish towards the tip ; feet black. 



Total length 38 inches, wing (including long secondaries) 28, culmen 3, 

 tarsus 8'50. 



Adult female resembles the male. 



This particularly graceful species is somewhat rare in Tunisia, 

 but apparently breeds in the Regency, and I have seen a young living 

 example, which was taken from a nest on the celebrated Enfida estate 

 near Sousa. M. Carnot, the owner of the bird, informed me that 

 a pair of these Cranes nested regularly every year in that locality. 



According to Blanc, the species is far from common in Tunisia, 

 and he has only seen five or six examples of it during the whole time 

 he has resided in the country. 



Salvin appears to have met with this Crane on several occasions 

 towards the eastern extremity of the marsh of Zana, while Canon 

 Tristram, Loche, and Taczanowski all speak of it as occurring in the 

 Algerian Sahara. 



The species is to be met with also in Marocco, but is apparently 

 not common, and only to be found there on passage. 



In some parts of Southern Spain it seems to be a regular visitor, 

 but does not remain to breed. It is to be met with accidentally in 

 Italy and some other parts of Southern Europe, but its true home 

 and breeding-quarters are in South-eastern Europe and Asia Minor. 



In its general habits and in the localities it frequents the 

 Demoiselle-Crane does not differ greatly from the preceding species. 

 It migrates in large flocks, and at high altitudes, descending to feed 

 in cultivated fields. Its food is more or less the same as that of the 

 Common Crane, and its note also is loud and trumpet-like. 



In captivity this bird becomes remarkably tame and familiar, and 

 owing to its engaging ways and graceful appearance, makes a 

 charming pet. The bird I saw at Sousa was a general favourite, and 

 was allowed perfect liberty. It seemed to consider itself guardian 

 of the house, and would courageously attack and drive away any stray 

 dog that might venture near the premises. 



During the spring, and immediately before the breeding-season, 

 this species is in the habit of assembling in companies, and going 

 through peculiar evolutions and antics, apparently solely for the sake 



