HERONS. 59 
the Zoological Gardens. Of the eighteen different species known 
typical examples will be found exhibited. Of these we may call attention 
to the Common Crane (Grus grus) (601), a regular summer-visitor 
to Europe, the Sarus Cranes (Antigone), of which A. sharpei (605) 
is common in Burma and A. australasiana (604) is well-known in 
Australia as the “ Native Companion,’ and the great African Wattled 
Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) (606). Two very elegant forms are 
the Stanley’s Crane (Tetrapterya paradisea) (608) and the Demoiselle 
(Anthropoides virgo) (609) ; but perhaps the most striking are the 
Crowned Cranes (Balearica) (610, 611), with their curious brush-like 
crests. The eggs, two or sometimes three in number, are laid in a more 
pov 
or less extensive nest placed on the ground. 
Order XV. ARDEIFORMES. Heron-rriBe. 
The Herons, Storks, and Ibises included in this Order differ from the | 
Cranes in possessing a bridged or desmognathous palate (see p. 209), 
while their young are hatched in a helpless condition and have to be 
fed in the nest for a considerable period. 
In the true Herons the bill is almost always long, straight, pointed, 
often serrated on the edges, and specially adapted for the capture of 
fish, while the legs and toes are long and suitable for wading. In spite 
of their structure, apparently so unsuited for an arboreal life, they perch 
readily on trees, and many species build their loosely-constructed nests 
of sticks among the branches, either singly or in colonies. 
In flight the head is drawn back between the shoulders. Many of 
the species assume ornamental plumage during the nesting-season, 
either in the form of long crest-feathers or elongate plumes on the 
breast or back. It is from the long “ dorsal train” of the Little Egret 
(Garzetta garzetta) (642) and the Australian Plumed Egret ( Mesophoyx 
plumifera) (649) [Pl]. XIV.], as well as other allied species, that the 
ornamental plumes known among dealers as “ Ospreys” are procured. 
Those who purchase and wear these ornaments would do well to bear 
in mind that every one of these plumes has been taken from the body 
of a bird killed while bringing food to its nestlings, which have con- 
sequently been left to starve. 
The majority of the Herons lay eggs of a beautiful greenish-blue 
colour, but those of many of the Bitterns are white or yellowish- 
brown. 
Family I. Arpurpr. Herons. (Plates XIIT., XIV.) 
The Bitterns (Botaurus), of which examples will be found on the 
floor of Case 33, are seldom found far from marshes ; their flight 
[Cases 
38, 34. | 
