LECTURE VI. j_- 



feeds, at least principally, on grain of different 

 kinds*. The largest bird of the Heron tril 

 tin- Ka>t Indian spirits called the Ilargil, or 

 .--, or Giant-Heron j chi-fly seen in 

 It is of a blackish colour, with a n 



, and a 



:it craw or crop. On opening one of 

 these birds; says an eminent t:\iv.-iler, was found 

 a land-tortoise ten inches long in its craw, and a 

 large black cat in its stomach. It is said to be 

 easily tamed, and rendered domestic ; in which 

 state it has been permitted to fly about at j 

 sure in the neighbourhood, when it has been ob- 

 served to sit on the tallest trees, and at the dis- 

 tance of two or three miles could spy the dinner 

 carrying along the court-yard; and would th-n 

 dart from its station, and soon join the company, 

 and has been known to snatch up a whole fowl 

 from the dish, and swallow it in an instant : the 

 traveller adds, that the bone of a shin of beef, 

 being broken asunder, served it but for two mouth- 



* The Indian Crane or Ardea Antigone of Linnaeus, is nearly 

 allied in general appearance to the Crane, but differs in having a 

 red bare collar round the neck : it is well figured in the works of 

 Edwards. 



LECT. I. O 



