22 



Monograph of the Cranes. 



of the most couimouly exhibited of birds iu menageries, and therefore 

 exceedingly familiar to the observation of every visitor to zoological 

 establishments where, in common with other cranes, it is tolei-ably sure to 

 attract attention, not only by the elegance of its appearance, but by its 

 graceful attitudes and occasional fantastic " dancing." With regard to the 

 " dancing " of the cranes generally, I ought to have remarked previously, 

 that when doing so in apparent pure gaiety of heart and exuberance of 

 animal spirits, they sometimes take up a stick or feather, or some other small 

 object, toss it in the air, and catch it with the bill as it descends, doing this 

 again and again ; and they nod and attitudinise most grotesquely and 

 amusingly, though never otherwise than with considerable elegance and 

 grace of action. 



Sternum and Tkacuea op Grus paradisea. 

 After Yarrell, Trans. Linn. Soc, vol xv. 



