70 



Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Page 50. Of the 

 five species of mergansers the red-breasted is the one most frequently 

 seen in the British Isles, the remaining species be'ng somewhat rare 

 visitors. Their powers of diving are very remarkable, 



Crowned Pigeon (Goura coronata), Page 51. The crowned 

 pigeon, a native of New Guinea, is the largest of all pigeons. The 

 remarkable slaty blue plumage and brilliant red eye give this bird 

 a striking appearance. Very little is known of its habits. 



CRANES 



Common Crane (Grits communis). Page 52. This bird in remote 

 times used to breed in the British Islands. It is now found in Europe 

 and parts of Asia, as well as being a visitor to India, North Africa, and 

 Japan. A full grown specimen is about 4 ft. in height. 



White Asiatic Crane (Antkropoides leucogeranos), Page 53. 

 This bird is found in'Central and Northern Asia, but during the winter 

 months migrates to India. 



Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo), Page 54. This is the 

 smallest of the cranes, being only some 30 inches in height. It is 

 found in Northern Africa. 



Stanley Crane (Antkropoidcs paradisea), Pages 55 and 56. The 

 StanleyT>ane of South Africa is nowhere abundant, and is invariably 

 found in pairs. 



The other species depicted are: The Manchurian Crane (Grus 

 japonensis), Page 57, and The Canadian Crane, Page 58 (Grus 

 canadensis). 



Sun Bittern (Euiypyga hetias), Page 59. The Sun Bittern is ^ 

 native of S. America, and obtains its name from the habit of basking in 

 the sun with outspread wings. Its flight has been likened to that of a 

 butterfly. The eggs laid are two in number. 



Black Oyster-catcher (Plccwitepus niger), Page 60. The 

 Oyster-catchers are frequently called by the name of sea pies. They 

 derive their name from their habit of feeding upon shellfish. The 

 picture represents the black species of South Africa. 



Young Herring Gull (Larus argent atits), Page 61. Young 

 se.igulls are always spotted, a fact which makes it difficult to distinguish 

 one species from another when quite small; It takes three years for them 

 to obtain their adult plumage. The number of eggs laid in a nest 

 rarely exceeds three. 



Black-footed Penguin (Sphenis^is demersus), Page 62. The 

 Cape or Black footed Penguin is a well-known bird at the London Zoo. 

 where its wo:.derful feats of diving and under water swimming are 

 daily exhibited. The wings, which are transformed into paddles, 

 enable them to swim about with great rapidity, but on land their 

 movements are decidedly comical and ungainly. 



Somali Ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes), Page 63. The 

 Ostriches are the largest of all living birds. Their nesting habits are 

 very curious.for the hen birds all lay in a com men nest, which issimply 

 a large hollow excavated in the sand. The cock bird undertakes the 

 task of sitting, except during the daytime, when the eggs are left to 

 themselves, exposed to the influence of the hot sun, being only 

 covered with a thin layer of sand. 



Rhea (Rhea. americana.), Page 64. This bird is often called in 

 America by the name of Ostrich, although it is very inferior in size to 

 the true ostrich, to the habits of which theirs are somewhat similar. 

 It will readily take to water, and is even able to swim. In captivity 

 it frequently breeds. 



