124 BIRDS 



and Japan and is very seldom imported alive. In captivity 

 it is quiet and docile, showing a most pleasing absence of 

 the pugnacity so frequent among its congeners. 



A crane of unusual and handsome appearance is the 

 Stanley or Paradise (Tetrapteryx paradisea). It is a 

 bird of fair size, ranging throughout the southern portions 

 of Africa, where it is fairly common. In color it is a uni- 

 form slate, becoming practically white on the head, the 

 feathers of which are so lengthened as to give it a strangely 

 swollen effect. The drooping secondaries reach the height 

 of their development and beauty in this species. The Para- 

 dise is a very desirable bird for the aviculturist, for both its 

 docility and beauty; it is imported very infrequently. Al- 

 though reputed to be hardy in England, it certainly is not 

 so in New York. Here it requires some artificial heat 

 during the winter. 



In captivity, the crane most frequently seen is the dainty 

 Demoiselle (Anthropoides virgo). It is the smallest of 

 the family, as well as the most widely distributed, since it 

 breeds in southern Europe and central Asia and spends the 

 winters in southern Asia and northern Africa. Its general 

 color is gray, set off by the elongated black feathers of the 

 breast, those over the eyes being drawn out into lateral tufts 

 of silky white. The Demoiselle is brought to the United 

 States each year in scores, for the demand for it is great. 

 Its small size reduces its capacity for mischief, even if its 

 usually even temper should allow it to fall from grace; its 

 engaging ways excite the admiration of all who have oppor- 

 tunity to observe them. This crane is quite willing to breed 

 in confinement, and has done so in this country on several 

 occasions. 



The Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina), of western 

 Africa, differs from all the others in the possession of an 

 occipital patch of straw-like plumes, from which it derives 



