COURLANS. 467 
distributed, is nowhere abundant, and is always found in pairs. It inhabits the 
Karru country, at a great distance from water, and is mainly carnivorous. In 
confinement it becomes extremely tame, although in the wild state it is very shy. 
The two species of African crowned cranes take their name from 
the narrow fan-shaped crest of twisted bristle-like feathers radiating 
from an elongated centre on the top of the head, by which they can be immedi- 
ately recognised. They are further characterised by the stout body, moderately 
long neck, large head, and the moderate length of the beak, which is regularly 
conical ; as well as by the broad wing, in which the fourth quill is the longest, and by 
the long legs and powerful claws. The cheeks are naked, and the feathers of the 
lower part of the neck hackle-shaped. Of the two species, the Balearic crane 
(Balearica pavonina) is mainly a North and West African form, while the Cape 
crowned crane (B. chrysopelargus) is from the southern districts. In it the general 
colour of the plumage is leaden-grey ; the crown shows rings of white and yellow, 
with black tips to its component bristles; the bare parts of the face are red; the 
top of the head and chin are black, as is the tail; while the outer feathers of the 
wings are white and inner red, both being overhung by some loose yellow plumes. 
In the Balearic crane, while the front part of the naked area on the side of the 
face is red, the hinder portion is glistening white. The habits of both appear to 
be very similar to those of several of the true cranes; these birds associating 
either in pairs or small companies, and frequenting the neighbourhood of water. 
On the west coast the Balearic crane is domesticated by the natives. 
Crowned Cranes. 
THE COURLANS. 
Family ARAMIDZ. 
Agreeing in its osteology and feathering very closely with the cranes, the 
Brazilian courlan or limpkin (Aramus scolopaceus) of tropical South America, is 
generally regarded as indicating a distinct family, although by some writers it is 
placed with the rails, from which it is at once distinguished by the slit-like nasal 
apertures of the skull. This bird, which measures 25 inches in length, is not 
unlike a large rail in general appearance; having a somewhat slender, straight 
beak, which is double the length of the head, and characterised by its extreme 
lateral compression. At the base of this beak the slit-like nostrils are situated in 
a groove extending along half its length. The legs and feet are long and slender; 
the lower half of the tibia being bare, and the compressed metatarsus covered with 
large scutes. The wings are broad and rounded. In colour, the Brazilian courlan 
is chocolate-brown, with purple and bronze reflections on the upper-parts, and 
some longitudinal white flecks on the head and sides of the neck. In the West 
Indies, Florida, and Central America its place is taken by the Florida courlan 
(A. pictus), distinguished by the white markings extending over the back, wing- 
coverts, and lower-parts. Courlan frequent swampy districts, and are remarkably 
rail-like in their habits, flying with the same slow, flapping flight, and, when 
flushed, soon dropping again. Among reeds, where they make regular paths, their 
movements are extremely rapid. 
