THE ZooLogist—JuLY, 1875. 4509 
Notes on the Natural History of South Africa. 
By R. B. and J. D. 8S. Woopvwarp, of Natal. 
(Continued from S. S. 4477.) 
Cranes.—There are three varieties of cranes found in Natal, 
viz. the wattled crane (Grus carunculata), the crowned crane or 
demoiselle (Anthropoides virgo), and the blue crane (A. paradisea). 
The first of these species is a gigantic bird, measuring four feet six 
inches in length; its general colour above is slate; the head and 
neck pure white; the rest of the plumage black; two flaps of skin 
depend from either side of the chin, from which it derives its name 
of “wattled”; the bill is red, and the legs black. 
All the cranes confine themselves to the upper and colder districts 
of this country, probably on account of it there being more open 
and containing extensive tracts of swampy ground. The wattled 
crane is not gregarious; they generally keep in pairs, although 
occasionally three or four may be seen together. They feed almost 
entirely on reptiles and insects, but in the summer time do a great 
deal of damage to the plantations of Indian corn before the grain 
is ripe. The nest is made on a tuft of grass, in which it lays two 
eggs of a yellowish brown, spotted with red; it returns constantly 
to the same nest. J.D. S. Woodward, while living on the Upper 
Umkomanzi, obtained a fine young bird of this species, which he 
reared on maize porridge until it could take its own food, when 
it used to eat the whole grain, besides whatever animal food it 
could get. It was confined in a small yard for four months, after 
which it was given its full liberty. The bird became perfectly 
tame, and never attempted to leave, although it used to wander to 
the swamps, two miles from the house, in search of frogs, of which 
it was very fond, but it always returned home regularly at meal 
limes, making a peculiar whistling cry at the door until it drew 
attention. Sometimes the wild cranes would pay it a visit, but 
it did not seem to care for their company. It used to come to its 
name of “ Mick,” and follow its master about like a dog for long 
distances: on his return after being away it would run and dance 
to meet him, showing unmistakable signs of pleasure. “ Mick” did 
not understand the art of bathing, and made a very bad job of it, 
not succeeding in wetting more than half its body after a great deal 
of splashing. 
SECOND SERIES—VOL, X. 21 
