THE



243



Hvlcultural flfcagastne,


BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE


AVICULTURAL SOCI ETY.



New Serins — VOL. VI. — No. 9. —All rights reserved. JULY, 1908.



THE SARUS CRANE.


By C. Barnby Smith.


The accompanying photo of my male Saras Crane may be

of interest to some of your readers. Sarus Cranes do not appear

to be commonly kept—perhaps on the ground that they are large

birds and require a good deal of room. A rood of land is not

too much for a pair, if it can be given, as they delight to take

long runs with wings outspread. They also spend a good deal

of time hunting for worms, insects, etc., and, if given a lot of

loose turf sods spread out and cut small, will constantly be pull¬

ing them about whilst searching underneath.


I feed my bird three times a day on mixed corn (one fourth

part split maize) the rest wheat, husk-rice, dari, &c. This seems

to answer well. In very cold weather I give a little raw meat.

A mouse or small sparrow is not despised.


The Sarus Crane is a bird of temper, and my bird speedily

tried to kill a pair of Demoiselle Cranes which I put into his run.

He, however, lives peaceably with various pheasants, not taking

the slightest notice of them unless they get in his way at feeding

time. They soon learn discretion.


The breeding of Sarus Cranes in England seems to be a

delight reserved for future generations, as Mr. Astley has nothing

to record and the Duchess of Bedford only mentions one bird as

being hatched at Woburn Park. However the old birds are

most stately and graceful in form and of a lovely gray colour.


I11 India the Sarus is generally seen on the plains wander¬

ing about cultivated fields near some “jheel,” and stands the hot

weather without migrating. These birds can, however, also



