DEMOISELLE, TRUMPETER. ARDEIDJ3, OR HERONS. 497 



tivation, which has deprived it of many of its most congenial loca- 

 lities. Its breeding places are in the north of Europe and Asia ; 

 but in its winter migrations it visits India, Egypt, and other parts 

 of Africa. Its aerial voyages are performed at a great height in 

 the air ; and its cries may be heard, when it is itself beyond the 

 limits of the sight. The DemoiselU, or Numidian Crane, is 

 remarkable for the grace and symmetry of its form, and the ele- 

 gance of its deportment. It has a beautiful drooping head-crest 

 of soft loose plumes, which undulate with every movement. In 

 America we find a curious species, the Trumpeter, which is 

 remarkable for its loud harsh voice, and for the attachment it 

 displays to Man, in a domesticated state. It equals a large fowl 

 in bulk, but has much longer legs and neck ; it is a native of the 

 forests of tropical America and the wild uplands, never visiting 

 fens or the borders of lakes or rivers. It walks and runs with 

 great celerity, but seldom takes wing, and rises in flight but a 

 few feet from the ground. The name of this Bird is derived from 

 the hollow internal sound, which it makes without opening the 

 bill ; this seems to be produced by the passage of the air from 

 the lungs, into two large membranous bags, which are given off 

 from the windpipe just as it enters the chest. 



448. The family ARDEID^E, or Heron tribe, may probably be 

 regarded as the typical group of the order ; the Birds which it 

 contains being pre-eminently formed for wading. They frequent, 

 as a rule, the margins of rivers, lakes, or marshes ; and feed on 

 Fish, Reptiles, and even small Mammalia. The beak is usually 

 long, of considerable strength, and sharp-pointed. The toes are 

 generally elongated, and the hind toe upon the level of the rest, 

 so as to form a more extensive bearing to the foot. The wings 

 are large, and their flight easy; and many of the species are 

 adorned with elegant plumes and crests (Fig. 281). They usually 

 build and breed in society ; but wander alone in search of food, 

 and separate when the breeding season is over. Many subordi- 

 nate groups, differing considerably from one another, are con- 

 tained in this family ; of these we shall briefly notice the chief. 

 The Common Heron is spread over the greater part of the 

 Old World ; and is represented by an allied species in America. 



