BIRDS. 319 



ing; the pupil black and big, surrounded with a gold-coloured 

 iris, that completes the bird's very singular appearance. 



From such a peculiar figure, we might be led to wish for a 

 minute history of its mariners ; but of these we can give but 

 slight information. This bird comes from the coast of Africa 

 and the Cape de Verd Islands. As it runs, it stretches out its 

 wings, and goes very swiftly, otherwise its usual motion is very 

 slow. Jn their domestic state, they walk very deliberately 

 among other poultry, and suffer themselves to be approached (at 

 least it was so with that I saw) by every spectator. They never 

 roost in houses ; but about night, when they are disposed to go 

 to rest, they search out some high wall, on which they perch in 

 the manner of a peacock. Indeed, they so much resemble that 

 bird in manners and disposition, that some have described them 

 by the name of the sea peacock: and Ray has been inclined to 

 rank them in the same family. But though their voice and 

 roosting be similar, their food, which is entirely upon greens, 

 vegetables, and barley, seems to make some difference.* 



• Tfi£ Gigantic Crane. This is a very larg^e species, which belougs to 

 thi^ Stork genus, measuring from tip to tip of the wings nearly fifteen feet. 

 Tlie bill is of a vast size, nearly triangular, and sixteen inches round at the 

 base. The head and neck are naked, except a few straggling curled hairs. 

 'Jhe feathers of the back and wings are of a bluish ash colour, and very 

 stout ; those of the breast are long. The craw hangs down the fore part of 

 the neck like a pouch. The belly is covered with a dirty white down ; and 

 the upper part of the back and .shoulders are surrounded with the same. 

 The legs and half the thighs are naked ; and the naked parts are full three 

 feet in length. 



This bird is an inhabitant of Bengal and Calcutta, and is sometimes found 

 on the coast of Guinea. It arrives in the internal parts of Bengal before the 

 period of the rains, and retires as soon as the dry season commences. Its 

 asp-^ct is filthy and disgusting ; yet it is one of the most useful birds of theso 

 roiuitries, in clearing them of snakes and noxious reptiles and insects. It 

 seems to finish the work begun by the jackal and vulture ; they clear- 

 ing away the flesh of animals, and these birds removing the bones by 

 swiillowing them entire. They sometimes feed on fish ; and one of them 

 will generally devour jus much as would serve four men. On opening the 

 body of a gigantic crane, a land tortoi.-o ten inches long, and a large bliick 

 male cat, were found entire within it ; the former in the craw, and the latter 

 ill the stomach. Bi'ing altogether undaunted at the sight of mankind, they 

 are soon rendered familiar ; and when fish or other food are thrown to them, 

 tliey catch them very nimbly, and iuunpdiatcly swallow them whole. 



The gigantic^ cranes are believed by Uw. Indians to Ik; animated by the 

 Bouls of the Bramins, and ccmspquently to be invulnerable. They. are held 

 in the liighcst veneration both by the Indians and Africans. Blr Ives, in 



