GO THE HERON. 



pinion of each wing grow two large tufts of feathers, which t\i3 

 bird can at pleasure erect and depress, and which, in ancient 

 times, were often set in gold, and worn as ornaments on the 

 heads of persons of distinction. 



Ancient writers have let loose the reins of fancy in their de- 

 scriptions of the crane, and their exaggerations have immortal- 

 ized its fame. It has by them been exhibited as a pattern not 

 only of parental affection and connubial attachment, but also of 

 social economy and civil polity. These highly-finished pictures 

 must be ascribed to a poetical imagination, predominant in early 

 ages, when the poet and historian were generally combined. 

 The crane, however, is a very social bird ; and its well-known 

 attachment to its mate, and affection to its offspring, might 

 certainly furnish agreeable allusions to the poet, and useful les- 

 sons to mankind. 



The arctic regions are the favourite abode of these birds ; for 

 although they are found in every other country of Europe ex- 

 cept Great Britain, they may be considered as visitants rather 

 than inhabitants, as they migrate from one part to another, and 

 seem to follow the seasons. They still continue to be held in 

 a kind of veneration by the vulgar of every country, and the 

 ancient prejudices appear to operate fortunately in their favour. 



Of this bird there are several varieties, of which the principal 

 seems to be the Numidian crane, remarkable for the singularity 

 of its habits and gestures. By the French it is called the 

 damoiselle, from the supposed elegance and gracefulness of its 

 motions. Sometimes it stoops, then rises, lifts up first one wing 

 and then the other, sails forward and returns, and incessantly ex- 

 hibits a variety of gesticulations. This is a very scarce bird. 

 Its plumage is mostly of a leaden grey colour ; but from the 

 back of the head spring beautiful white feathers, which bend 

 downwards, and are about four inches in length ; while the fore 

 part of the neck is adorned with black feathers, composed of 

 very fine filaments, which fall down on the breast, and give an 

 air of elegance to its appearance. 



THE HERON 



Is remarkable for the two opposite qualities which are blended 

 in its character, excessive timidity? and extreme rapacity. This 

 bird is remarkably light in proportion to its size, seldom weigh- 

 ing more than three pounds and a half, although it expands a 

 breadth of wing of not less than five feet : and although other ani- 

 mals mostly grow fat by a plentiful supply of food, this continues 

 constantly lean, notwithstanding its insatiate voracity. Its bill 

 is not less than five inches long from the base to the point ; and 

 its claws are long, sharp, and formidable : but, although it ap - 



