120



Miss R. Alderson,



looked so beautiful, marching up the lawn with their wings held

high and stretched to the full, but it made one wish so much that

they had not been marred by pinioning. The effect in the spread

wing is quite enough to spoil it, though when the wing is in repose

it does not show. I do not think the operation is very painful if

properly done, and it is, of course, a necessity if the bird is to run

loose. The hen Crowned Crane is a great jumper, but does not'

often indulge in it unless frightened. Sometimes she will have a

mad fit and careers up the lawn in wild jumps with outstretched

wings and neck. She comes close to the house to be fed, but will

not feed from our hands.


After the death of “ Virginie,” the Demoiselle, we got another

mate for “ Paul.” This new bird “ Rudolph ” is supposed to be a

male, he is still in his drab dress and very young and is aviary bred

from abroad. He is rather frightened of “Paul” though they are

always together. When first “ Rudolph ” came he was very in¬

quisitive and if the low windows in the drawing room were left open

he would come inside and walk round the room, never breaking

anything, but apparently much interested in the pictures. “ Paul ”

would not venture inside, but would stand close to the window

giving his call note of fear again and again. Though he displays

this anxiety yet to tell the truth he bullies “ Rudolph,” and in little

points, such as helping himself first to feed, he is essentially the

master. “ Paul” loves to look for long at a time at his reflection in

the drawing room windows, and has, I think, a latent taste for

music, for he tapped hard on the glass, as an accompaniment, when

I was playing the other day.


Both the Demoiselles like Spratt’s Pigeon Biscuit (it is sold

ground in small pieces, and I was told contains egg) as well as

wheat. They have no other grain, but enjoy mealworms, these,

however, are only given as a special treat.


Every morning' I put two little heaps of pigeon biscuit on the

dining room window sill for the Cranes, if I put only one heap

“Rudolph” would go short. “Paul” is also very fond of small

pieces of bread, and prefers crust to crumb. It is pretty to see him

take it through the window from your hand, for when he is pleased

lie gives happy little grunts of satisfaction whilst eating. He makes



