38 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



stones ; they wanted all their lung power to bark at 

 their pigmy foes. 



Having considered cranes as they are not, it behoves 

 us to glance at them as they are. The sarus is a hand- 

 some creature. It stands over five feet high. The 

 general colour of the plumage is a beautiful French 

 grey. The head and long neck are devoid of feathers, 

 but are covered with numerous tiny crimson warts or 

 papillae. These assume a deeper hue at the breeding 

 season, which occurs from July to September. There 

 is a patch of grey on the sides of the head. The throat 

 and a ring round the nape are covered with black hairs. 



Saruses feed upon vegetable substances, insects, earth- 

 worms, frogs, lizards, and other small reptiles, with an 

 occasional snake thrown in by way of condiment. 

 "This," remarks Babu Ram Brama Sanyal, "shows 

 the kind of accommodation they must have." 



Saruses are not gregarious birds, but hunt in couples 

 and are said to mate for life. It is further asserted that 

 when one of a pair is killed the other pines away and 

 dies. I believe this to be true, although I cannot vouch 

 for it, and am certainly not going to put the statement 

 to the test by shooting one of a pair : for these cranes 

 are such tame, confiding birds that to shoot them savours 

 strongly of murder. 



According to Jerdon, a young sarus is not bad eating, 

 but old birds are worthless for the table. Lucky old birds ! 

 Saruses thrive very well in captivity. As they habitu- 

 ally indulge in all manner of eccentric dances they make 

 most amusing pets. They are usually gentle and let 

 strangers caress them and tickle their heads. But I 



