. 
226 THE TOWER MENAGERIE. 
than the head, and grooved along its upper surface ; 
their head is ornamented with a crest of long and slen- 
der filamentous feathers, capable of being raised and 
depressed at pleasure; their wings are large and power- 
ful; their legs are covered with large scales; the outer 
and middle toes are united at the base; and their claws 
are short and without denticulations. 
The Crowned Crane is remarkable for its light and 
elegant proportions, and for its graceful and varied 
attitudes. Its forehead is covered by a thick tuft of 
short velvety feathers of a soft and brilliant black; its 
naked cheeks and temples are of a delicate rose colour ; 
and the yellow filaments of its crest terminate in blackish 
pencils. The long and slender feathers which descend 
upon its neck, and the broader ones which clothe the 
upper and under surface of its body are black with a 
slight tinge of lead-colour; the primary wing-feathers 
are also black, the secondary reddish-brown, and the 
wing-coverts white. ‘The bill and legs are black. It is 
a native of Western Africa; is extremely tame, and may 
be readily domesticated. It frequently attains the height 
of four feet. 
