348 VERTEBRATA. AVES. 



y* the. Crane. 



More terrestrial in their habits than the Herons, 

 the Cranes seek their subsistence from the worms 

 and insects of marshy meadows, often, however, feed- 

 ing on grain. The common Crane of Europe (G. 

 Cinerea) is more than four feet in height ; the 

 feathers of the rump are black and curled into 

 long plumes, while in the Demoiselle (G. Virgo) 

 these feathers hang gracefully downwards. The 

 Demoiselle is also adorned by a tuft of white fea- 

 thers, elegantly passing off behind the eyes ; and 

 the Crowned Crane (6% Pavonina) has a still more 

 beautiful and singular head-dress, in a crest of di- 

 verging filaments standing up from the back of the 

 head, somewhat like the crest of a Peacock, but 

 much more numerous. Both these inhabit Western 

 Africa. 



Ciconia,-\- the Stork. 



The long and strong beak of this genus enables 

 it to attack and overcome stronger prey than the 

 preceding. Snakes and frogs, as well as fishes and 

 insects, form its natural prey ; and, on account of 

 its services in destroying disagreeable and noxious 

 reptiles, it has been held in universal esteem, 

 amounting almost to veneration. The White Stork 

 ( C. Alba) is well known on the continent from its 

 fearless familiarity with man, stalking about the 



* The Latin name. t The Latin name. 



