246 THE CRANE KIND, 



their legs are formed of a peculiar length, and bare of 

 feathers half way up the thigh. The bill is likewise 

 remarkable in most of this class, as it is generally much 

 longer than that of other birds, and furnished with 

 nerves that enables them to feel their food, which often 

 lies at the bottom of marshy ground. 



Willoughby and Pennant make the crane from five 

 to six feet long from the tip to the tail ; yet Brisson's 

 account seems more to be depended upon, when he 

 asserts, that, from the tip to the tail, it is three feet 

 four, and not more than three feet in height ; for it is 

 not easy to suppose that a bird, not bigger in the 

 body than a turkey-hen, and not weighing more than 

 ten pounds, should be equal to a full-grown ostrich in 

 length. 



The crane, then, is a tall, slender bird, with a neck 

 proportioned to the length of its legs : the top of the 

 head is covered with black bristles, and the back of 

 it is bald and red, which completely distinguishes it 

 from the stork : the plumage in general is of an ash-r 

 colour ; and there are two large tufts of feathers that 

 spring from the pinion of each wing, that the bird can 

 erect or depress at pleasure, and which has the appear- 

 ance of hair that is curled. 



All ancient writers have been particular in their de* 

 scriptions of this bird, and exaggeration has tended to 

 immortalize its fame. From the policy of the cranes, 

 they say, we may form an idea of a perfect republic ; 

 from their tenderness to their decripid parents, which 

 they cherish and support with the utmost zeal, we may' 

 learn a lesson of filial obedience ; and, from their bat- 

 tles with the pigmies of Ethiopia, receive maxims in 

 the art of war, 



In these accounts there doubtless is some foundation, 



