302 THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



boundary of the tropical rains. When the Blue and White 

 Nile begin to rise, he builds his rude nest among the branches 

 of the thorny bushes, in an inundated part of the primitive 

 forest, and lays in September three or four snow-white or 

 yellow-speckled eggs, which are hatched in a few weeks, and 

 find abundant food in the countless worms and insects gene- 

 rated in the swampy grounds. 



Few wading birds are more remarkable for grace of form and 

 elegance of deportment than the Demoiselle, or Numidian 

 Crane, so that Linnaeus justly gave it the name of virgin 

 {Grus virgo). Like the ibis it is easily domesticated, and daily 

 gains upon the affections of its master by the numerous proofs 

 of attachment and intelligence which it gives him. With 

 maidenish care it preserves its silken plumage from every spot 

 or defilement, and enhances its beauty by the arts of an amiable 

 coquetry. With our Common Cranes (Grus cinerea) it 

 hibernates on the sand-banks of the tropical Nile, where it 

 meets the crowned Demoiselle {Grus Pavonia), which, in spite 

 of its more gorgeous plumage, is a far less attractive bird. 

 When sailing about the middle of October on one of the two 

 chief rivers of East Sudan, the traveller sees day and night 

 flocks of Cranes fly past and settle for the winter on some 

 appropriate spot. They consist of common and Numidian 

 Cranes. The latter have been found breeding in summer on 

 the banks of the Wolga, and very rarely in Grermany, but no 

 one knows where the thousands which assemble in the Sudan 

 spend their summer months. The Demoiselle, a rare bird in 

 most collections, is there met with in such multitudes as literally 

 to cover a large sand island. All the cabinets of Europe might 

 be largely provided with specimens, if the bird was not so 

 extremely intelligent, shy, and cautious. It evades every snare, 

 and constantly keeps at a respectful distance from the sportsman's 

 gun. Brehm chose the night for its chase, and found that when 

 the moon shone, it used to fly once as high again as when 

 protected by darkness. 



The ornithological wonders of Australia and its neighbouring 

 islands are inferior to those of no other part of the world. 

 Though of less dazzling splendour than the peacock's tail, that 

 of the Menura, or Lyre-bird, is unrivalled .for its elegance. 

 Fancy two large, broad, black and brown striped feathers. 



