three feet in height, with a neck proportioned to the 

 length of its legs.. Its head is covered with a black 

 bristly crest; and the back part, which is without 

 feathers, and appears of a red colour, distinguishes it 

 from the stork, to which it bears, in other respects, a 

 considerable resemblance. The general colour of its 

 plumage is ash-coloured; and from the pinion of each 

 wing grow two large tufts of -feathers, which the bird 

 can at pleasure erect and depress, and which, in an- 

 cient times, were often set in gold, and worn as orna- v 

 ments on the heads of persons of distinction. 



The arctic regions are the favorite abode of these 

 birds; for although they are found in every country 

 of Europe except Great Britain, they may be consi- 

 dered as visitants rather than inhabitants, as they mi- 

 grate from one part to another, and seem to follow 

 tlie seasons. They still continue to be held in a kind 

 of veneration by the vulgar of every country, and 

 the ancient prejudices appear to operate fortunately 

 in their favour. , 



Of this bird there are several varieties of which 

 the principal seems to be the Numidian crane, re- 

 markable for the singularity of its -habits and gestures, 

 J3y the French it is called the damoiselle, from the 

 supposed elegance and gracefulness of its motions. 

 Sometimes it stoops, then rises, lifts up first one wing 

 and then the other, sails forward and returns, and in- 

 cessantly exhibits, a variety of gesticulations. This ig 

 a very scarce bird. Its plumage is mostly of a leaden; 

 grey "colour; but from the back of the head spring 

 beautiful white feathers, which bend downwards, and 

 are about four inches in length; while the fore part 

 of the neck is adorned with black feathers, composed 

 of very fine filaments, w^hich fall down on the breast^ 

 arid give an air of elegance to its appearance. 



THE HEBON 



is remarkable for the .two opposite qualities which are 

 blended in its character, excessive timidity, and ex- 

 treme rapacity. This bird is remarkably light in prq- 

 portioiTto its' size, seldom weighing more than three 

 pounds and a half, although it expands a breadtfc of 



