BIRDS WADING DIAGRAM 4 



81 



known bird ; it is about six feet high, and its body is as large 

 as that of a horse. The ostrich inhabits the deserts of Africa ; 

 it cannot fly, but runs with very great swiftness. Its eggs are 

 larger than the head of a child, and of a fine yellow colour ; 

 the shell is very hard. It lays them in the sand, and the heat of 

 the sun is sufficient to hatch them, The ostrich is hunted for 

 the beautiful feathers in its wings and tail. There is a very 

 large trade in them. 



The cranes are very large birds which vi^it our country 

 occasionally. They have an ashy grey plumage, and make long 



journeys. Our climate 

 is too warm for them in 

 summer, and they then 

 fly away towards the 

 north ; in the winter 

 * they return towards the 

 south. Their flight is 

 strong, and they are 

 Cranes. pre-eminently migratory 



birds. When they are about to start, they assemble in flocks, 

 and arrange themselves in two files united in front, and 

 diverging behind. They always preserve this order, and are 

 seen to fly thus at a great height in the air. The bird at the 

 apex of the triangle only remains there for a certain time, and 

 then falls into the rear, or at least attempts to do so, and another 

 takes its place to cleave the air. 



The cranes like other wading birds, put their head under 

 their wing when they sleep. They also often lift up one leg, 

 and stand for hours together motionless upon the other. 



The herons have an ashy coloured plumage with a black crest 

 behind the head, and the front of the neck white, spotted 

 with black feathers. They disport themselves during the 

 day on the borders of lakes and rivers, and at night 

 retire to the woods, or to the groves which are reserved for 

 them, and which are called heronries. They make their nests 



