AVES—CRANE. 627 
’ 
THE BALEARIC CRANE,! 

For a long time continued unknown, till we became acquainted with the 
birds cf tropical climates, when one of the crane kind with a topping was | 
brought into Europe, and described by Aldrovandus as Pliny’s balearic crane. 
It is remarkable for the lightness and elegance of its proportions, and the 
gracefulness and variety of its attitudes. Its forehead is covered by a thick 
tuft of short velvety feathers of a soft and brilliant black. The bill and 
legs are of the same hue. The long, slender feathers, descending on the 
neck, and the broader ones with which the upper and under surface of its 
body are clothed, are black, with a slight tinge of lead color; the primary 
wing feathers are black; the secondary, reddish brown; the wing-coverts 
white. The naked cheeks and temples are of a delicate rose color; and the 
yellow filaments of its crest terminate in blackish pencils. This bird comes 
from the coast of Africa and the Cape de Verd Islands. It grows to the 
height of four feet. As it runs, it stretches out its wings, and goes very 
swiftly, otherwise its usual motion is very slow. In their domestic state, 
they walk very deliberately among other poultry, and suffer themselves to be 
approached by every spectator. They never roost in houses; but about 
night, when they are disposed to go to rest, they search out some high wall, 
on which they perch in the manner of a peacock. Indeed, they so much re- 
semble that bird in manners and disposition, that some have described them 
by the name of the sea peacock. But though their voice and roosting be 
similiar, their food, which is entirely greens, vegetables, and barley, seems to 
make some difference. 


1Grus pavonina, Temm. 
