Faculties of Birds Generally. 



ONE of the most voracious of carnivorous birds is 

 the gigantic crane, or, as it is termed in India, 

 the Adjutant (Ciconia argala). It does not, how- 

 ever, rank in systematic arrangements as a bird of prey 

 any more than the bustard, though the latter lives chiefly 

 on animal food. 



The structure of the stomach in the adjutant corresponds 

 with this similarity in habit, though the solvent glands 

 are differently formed from those of any other bird. 

 These glands are not placed round the upper portion of 

 the stomach, but form two circular figures, about one inch 

 and a half in diameter on the fore and back part of it, 

 each gland being composed of five or six cells, and each 

 opening into one common pipe. The gizzard and 

 digastric muscle are nearly of the same strength with that 

 of the crow, and the former is lined with a similar horny 

 cuticle. 



These birds are not only capable of digesting bones, as 

 Spallanzani proved eagles and owls to be, but they seem 

 to be fond of them, swallowing every bone which they 

 can get down their gullet, whence they are denominated 

 bone-eaters. It has been stated by Sir Everard Home 

 that there was found in the craw and stomach of one of 

 these birds a land tortoise, ten inches long, and a large 

 male black cat, entire. 



The adjutants are said to be met with in companies, 

 and when seen at a distance, near the mouths of rivers, 

 coming towards an observer, which they often do, with 

 their wings extended, may well be taken for canoes upon 

 the surface of a smooth sea ; when on the sand-banks, for 



