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Famity GRUIDZ (Cranes) 
This family has no representatives in the district or foot of the 
hills. They are winter visitants in the plains. Excepting Sarus, 
they pass over the Himalayas to breed. Cranes are well-known birds 
in India. They are readily distinguished by their large size ; long 
necks ; pale grey and white plumage. These birds are allied to 
bustards and plovers. Bill is fairly lcng, thick and straight ; tarsi 
long ; toes short and strong ; wings, tertiaries long and over hanging. 
(863) GRUS ANTIGONE, Sarus Crane. This immense bird is about 
52 inches in length; wing extent nearly 8 feet; weighing about 
18 Ibs. It is found in Bengal, and other parts of India. Usually 
when alarmed it has a loud trumpet-like call, and a garrulous way 
of skipping about. It gives vent to its feelings by a heel and toe 
step. A sort of Highland-fling is at times indulged in, on the 
slightest provocation. If you fail to find a Sarus in its native 
elements, you will have but little difficulty in finding a tame species 
if desirous. The plumage of Sarus is pale blue turning to grey in 
colour ; head and neck unfeathered having crimson papille, with a 
sort of ruffle or mane hanging down from nape to the neck; bill 
light green tipped brown ; irides reddish orange ; legs and feet rose 
coloured with a tinge of red. 
(864) GruS LEUCOGERANUS, Large White Crane, is rare and 
seldom seen. 
(865) Grus CINEREA. Common Crane of Europe, as it is called 
visits India in the cold weather. 
(866) ANTHROPOIDES VIRGO, Demoiselle Crane, is a beautiful 
bird found in most parts of India. In size it is 30 inches long ; - 
plumage is a fine purplish grey ; quills black ; the long drooping 
tertiary feathers are dark slaty; black on the head and neck, also 
on the long breast plumes ; legs black ; irides ruby red. This bird 
comes over from Northern Asia in the cold weather. Anthropoides 
in particular has a light fantastic dance, all its own, usually for the 
gratification of Miss Demoiselle. 
TRIBE LONGIROSTRES. 
Which are made up of the large family Scolopacide, and Himan- 
topide with a limited number of species. These are birds with 
lengthened bills, slender and feeble; wings generally long and 
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