Practical Bird-Keeping.



347



by four 3\ards or thereabouts in a sheltered corner, and this the

birds make good use of if let out.


The period of incubation of Cranes varies. The species

which have bred here are: Canadian, White-necked and Man¬

churian, and incubation takes 30 days ; Wattled 36 days. A pair

of Stanley Cranes at present have a nest here with the usual

complement of two eggs ; they have been sitting 32 days, and

as we have no idea of the time these birds take to incubate, j^ou

can imagine our hopes and fears. Both male and female sit well

and take turn on the eggs. All the Cranes’ eggs that I have seen

bear a strong family likeness and are small for the great size of

the birds ; the colour of the eggs varies slightly, and they are

deposited with the same regularity, viz., one clear day between

the first and second eggs. The nest is merely an apology,

a few bents of grass or any rubbish handy is pulled together ;

sometimes this is not done until the first egg is laid. The

Siberians take the most pains, and are not satisfied unless a

considerable heap is got together, especially if they can get

flags of any kind, which the}^ pull up by the roots. Owing

to their aquatic habits, the nest is built as near the water as

possible, hence the idea of a large nest to keep well above the

water-line.


Both species of Crowned Cranes have made nests this

year, and we have daily expected to see an egg from the Cape

Crowned (Grus chrysopelargus). These elegant creatures are a

joy for ever, when seen, as they are here, in the very best of

health and plumage ; they are perfectly tame, and are pleased

to welcome one and make friends at all times. The graceful

way in which they dance about to amuse one is most entertain¬

ing; no matter how many people witness the performance, they

appear to enjoy laughter; in fact, the more you laugh, the more

they dance, bow, and skip about with half-open wings, showing

all their wonderful variation of colours. They may be very

highly recommended for any lawn or garden, being perfectly

harmless, and they do not dig up the turf like most of the

Cranes. The long life and hardiness of this family in confine¬

ment should appeal to all lovers of birds who can afford to keep

them.



