320 CRANES AND HERONS. [CHAP. vi. 



The common (or, as it ought to be called in England, 

 the uncommon) Crane, is a very ornamental bird for 

 the lawn or pleasure-ground. It walks about with a 

 peculiar feminine elegance and consciousness of grace. 

 But it is apt to be cross, and not to be trusted with 

 children or strangers ; and where it does choose to 

 manifest a dislike, its bill is really a formidable means 

 of offence. It is also expensive ; good specimens 

 fetching IQl. or 12?. each. A still more beautiful 

 creature to occupy the inclosed paddock, and of gentler 

 manners, is the Crowned Crane, also a costly pet. But 

 altogether the most remarkable of these birds is the 

 Stanley Crane, which has long drooping feathers pen- 

 dant not only from its tail or train, but from its wings 

 also. These have regularly bred at Knowsley for the 

 last few years ; but I am not aware that they are in the 

 market, or to be had at all, except by those persons to 

 whom Lord Derby chooses to grant the favour of com- 

 municating the superabundant progeny of his stock. 

 The common Spoonbill is a very tameable and gentle 

 creature, and feeds on the same diet, and is suitable for 

 the same situations as the White Stork. It is not a 

 high-priced bird, and might almost be naturalised 

 amongst us, were it not for the persecutions of " stuffed 

 specimen" hunters. The usual end of those kept 

 captive in gardens or pleasure-grounds is, to fall victims 

 to the cruelty of boys and other mischievous bipeds. 

 The Purple Heron is a shy and slippery character, 

 which makes his handsome appearance of less value. 

 But the common Heron has sufficient beauty of plu- 

 mage, in the adult state, to make him worth keeping, 

 where facilities exist for supplying him with his proper 

 food. At the Birmingham poultry show in December, 



