NATURAL HISTORY. 341 



astonishment at the escaping bird. When flying, the black and 

 white colours of its plumage make it very conspicuous. On the 

 head of the bird is a kind of crest. 



Family II. ... Ardeidce. (Lat. Ardea, a Heron. Heron-kind.) 

 Sub-famil y b. . . Gruince. 



GRUS. (Lat. a Crane.) 



Cinerea (Lat. ashy), the Crane. 



The COMMON CRANE is now but rarely seen on our shores, 

 although formerly as common as was the bustard. It flies at 

 so great a height, that although its hoarse cry is audible, the 

 bird itself is far out of the reach of sight. It generally feeds on 

 snails, frogs, and worms, but is not by any means averse to new- 

 ly sown grain. The nest is made among reeds and rushes, and 

 contains two bluish green eggs, marked with brown. The 

 length of the bird is nearly four feet. 



