M 



CnAN'E— Ci-iis cinfrea. 



greyish wliitp i>.v(J«ncls from behind the eyes, partially down tlie neck on each side. The 

 ji'eneral ^surface of the body is soft ashen grey, and the primaries are black. The long 

 phi-ny tertials form two crest-like ornaments, which can be raised or depressed at will. 

 Z'lie eyes are red, and the beak is yellow, with a green tinge. The total length of the 

 adult Crane is about four feet, but it is rather variable in point of size, and the males are 

 rather larger than the females. 



The two following l;iirds are remarkable, not only for their beauty of form and plumage, 

 Init for the extraordinary antics in which they occasionally indulge. 



The Demoiselle, or Numidian Ckane, is common in many parts of jVfrica, and has 

 been seen in some portions of Asia and occasionally in Eastern Europe. The movements 

 of this beautiful bird are generally slow and graceful, with a certain air of delicate 

 daintiness about them which has earned for it the title of Demoi.selle. l^ut on occasions 

 it is seized with a fit of eccentricity, and puts itself through a series of most absurd gambols, 

 dancing about on the tips of its toes. Happing its wings, and bowing its head in the most 

 grotesque fashion. It may sometimes be seen performing these antics in the Zoological 

 (lardens, but it is very capricious in its habits, and, like the parrot, will seldom perform its 

 tricks when it is most desired to do so. 



It is a very pretty bird, the soft texture of the flowing plumage, and the delicate greys 

 of the feathers, harmonizing with each other in a \v\y agreeable manner. The general tint 

 of the plumage is blue-grey, taking a more leaden tone on the head and neck, and otlering 

 a beautiful contrast to the snowy-Mhite ear-tufts, issuing from velvety black, wliich 

 decoi-ate the head. There is also a tuft of long flowing plumes of a deep black grey. 



