186 



COMMON CRANE. 



bending backwards. The legs are black, as are the thighs, 

 v* hich are naked half their length. In short, this bird has 

 all the natural instincts, and the awkward form of the 

 crane kind, living in the water, and subsisting on frogs and 

 other aquatic animals. 



The American spoonbill differs from that of Europe, in 

 being of a beautiful rose or crimson colour. Beauty of 

 plumage, indeed, belongs to all the birds of that conti- 

 nent ; and, in the present instance, is bestowed on one 

 whose general conformation is very far from a standard of 

 elegance. 



Tin's bird lays from three to five eggs ; and commonly 

 builds its nest in high trees, in company with the heron. 



THE COMMON CRANE. 



This is a long, tall, slender bird, of little elegance or 

 beauty in its external appearance. The head is covered 

 with black bristles ; and the back part of it, which is bald 

 and red, is a sufficient distinction between it and the stork, 

 to which in other respects it is nearly allied. The plu- 

 mage is ash-coloured ; and two large tufts of feathers 

 spring from the pinion of each wing, bearing some resem- 

 blance to hair, which the bird can erect or depress at 

 pleasure. In former times its feathers were often set in 

 gold, and worn in the caps of persons of distinction, by 

 way of ornament. 



Many fables have been invented by the ancients, and 

 repeated by the moderns, concerning the cranes. The 

 manner in which they keep up their social intercourse, 

 their filial and parental affection, and their connubial at- 

 tachment, have all furnished just matter for speculation ; 

 and almost seem to have sanctioned the stories that have 

 been related in their favour. 



The usual abodes of these birds are the arctic regions : 

 they descend, indeed, into the more southern parts of 

 Europe ; but it is rather as visitants than inhabitants, and 

 they have long ceased to frequent the British islands at 

 any season. However, they were formerly known here, 



