THE LARGEST BIRD IN INDIA 203 



parent birds would do. The female came up to the 

 cock (she is distinguishable by her smaller size) ; 

 then they both advanced very slowly towards the 

 nest, the hen approaching the faster. When at a 

 distance of perhaps eight yards from the nest, the 

 cock indulged in some curious antics. He slowly 

 drew himself up to his full height and stood thus 

 motionless for a few seconds, then he stretched out 

 his bill towards the sky. Next, the long neck began 

 to bend slowly until it took roughly the shape of the 

 letter S. Then, while the neck was still so bent, the 

 sarus dipped his bill into the water. After this he 

 again stood upright and repeated the whole per- 

 formance. Finally he indulged in a little dance. 

 Meanwhile the hen slowly advanced, and when within 

 a yard of the nest stood still and contemplated it for 

 a little, then, after caressing the youngster with her 

 bill, she slowly climbed on to the nest. The nest 

 cavity being a very shallow one, the young bird sitting 

 in it could be seen from a considerable distance, and 

 its reddish fawn plumage showed up in strong contrast 

 to its surroundings. The sarus nestling cannot by 

 any stretch of the imagination be called protectively 

 coloured, but it fares very well, notwithstanding its 

 conspicuousness, because its parents never depart 

 far from the nest, and while they are present it is 

 immune from attack. Even large birds of prey avoid 

 the powerful beak of an infuriated crane. 



