34 Monograph of the Cranes. 



of the head is bare, red, and papillose. The two flaps of skin which depend 

 from the sides of the chin are covered, except in front, with short white 

 feathers. Irides bright orange, somewhat redder in the male ; bill reddish, 

 legs and feet dull black. There is hardly any perceptible difference between 

 the sexes. As seen from a little distance, the birds appears grey, with a 

 white neck and broad black zone crossing the shoulders. The length (as 

 given by Mr. Layard) is 4ft. 7iu. ; wing to end of drooping feather, 3ft. ; 

 tail 13in. 



[Gloger, in his handbook, p. 440, suggested the separation of the Wattled 

 Crane from the genus Grrus, writing : 



A South- African species of the same size [as 0. communis], but slate grey, with a white 

 throat edged with black (Gr. carunc.alata), should perhaps be generically separated 

 (Bugeranus). For it has not only a bright-rpd naked face, but also a kind of throat- 

 sac, and on each side a feathered bell like fleshy caruncle of an inch and a half in 

 length. 



The establishment of a new genus on such slight differences, however, 

 appears unnecessary, and has not been accepted. — W. B. T.] 

 Layard, in his Birds of South Africa, remarks : 



This great crane is only found in a few favoured localities, scattered over the 

 country. A single pair take up their haunts and maintain their place of abode for 

 years, breeding constantly in the same nest, which is repaired as occasion requires. I 

 had the pleasure of watching a pair, through my binoculars, engaged in this proceeding. 

 Both birds contributed to the work, stopping now and then to do a little courting. Two 

 eggs were taken from their nest. 



The notice by Mr. T. Ayres of this species nesting in five feet of 

 water has also been duly quoted at page 5. He had previously remarked 

 that in the Natal colony — 



The Caffre Cranes are plentiful inland, but are seldom if ever seen on the coast. 

 They may be found in the open plains, sometimes singly, at other times twenty or 

 thirty in a flight. They appear to feed on grain and insects, preferring the former 

 when attainable. They fly with neck and legs outstretched, the beat of their wings 

 being very quick considering the size of the bird ; and during their flight, if in sufficient; 

 numbers, they form the usual letter V, like swans and geese : (Ihis, 1864, p. 3.55.) 



Andersson, in his "Birds of Damara Land," p. 278, says : 



This crane is found very sparingly in Damara Land during the rainy season ; I 

 have also observed it on the rivers Okavango, Teoughe, and Dzonga, as well as at 

 Lake Ngami. 



It is a somewhat rare species in the vivaria of this part of the world ; 

 but examples have been included in the Regent's Park collection. 



