6 10 MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY. 



membrane. In this family are the Cranes, Herons, Stork, Ibis, 

 Spoonbill, and others of less importance. 



The Cranes (Gruida) are large and elegant birds, and are 

 chiefly remarkable for their long migrations, which were noticed 

 by many classical authors. In these journeys the Cranes 

 usually fly in large flocks, led by a single leader, so that the 

 whole assemblage assumes a wedge-like form; or they fly in 

 long lines. The common Crane (Grus cinered] breeds in the 

 north of Europe and Siberia, and migrates southwards at the 

 approach of winter. The Numidian Crane or Demoiselle in- 

 habits Asia and Africa, the Stanley Cranes (Anthropoides) are 

 natives of the East Indies, and the Crowned Cranes (jBalearica) 

 are African. In many respects the Cranes are more nearly 

 allied to the Rails than to the Herons. The Herons (Ardeidte) 

 are familiarly known to every one in the person of the common 

 Grey or Crested Heron (Ardea cinerea, fig. 337). It was one 



Fig. 337. Crested "RvcoTi (Ardea cinerea). Europe. 



of the birds most generally pursued in the now almost extinct 

 sport of falconry. Various species of Heron are found over 

 the whole world, both in temperate and hot climates. Here, 

 also, belong the various species of Night Heron (Nycticorax\ 

 the Bitterns (Botaurus), and the Boat-bills (Cancroma). 



