Cranes in Captivity.



59



paddock which these birds reserve to themselves : a yard of gravel

will be ample as this quantity will cover at least five yards of ground.

When this is provided it will be noticed that in wet weather, when

the grass is wet, particularly if it be long, these Cranes will always

be standing on the gravelled patches.


In Crowned Cranes the cheeks are bare skin evenly divided

into two distinct patches of pink and white, the proportion varying

in different species : the general tint of the neck and body is ashy

or greyish black, the wings and tail being white with a rich chocolate

brown ; but the thick, upright crest of straw-coloured bristle-like

feathers is the dominant features of these birds, and the one to

which in no small degree their beauty and attractive appearance is

due. There seems some diversity of opinion among those who

possess these birds as to whether it is necessary to keep them

entirely under cover or not during the winter months : some keep

them indoors from November to March, others take no trouble with

their birds in this respect and claim that these Cranes suffer no ill-

effects by so doing. So far as my own experience teaches, all that is

necessary is to put up a small summer-house erection made of wood,

with a tarred roof; this need not be larger in size than about 6ft. cube,

entirely closed all round with the exception of a small open doorway,

through which the birds can pass one at a time. It is an advantage

if the floor can be raised a few inches above the ground level and

covered with peat-moss litter. When such a shelter as this is

provided for their use, the birds can then decide whether the weather

is too inclement or not, and please themselves if they make a retreat

into it. Generally it will be found that they will only seek its pro¬

tection during the most stormy weather, especially that accompanied

by a strong driving wind ; at other times, even the most cold, they

will be proudly marching about the paddock, heedless of snow and

frost. The roof of this structure should slope towards the back with

the ground at that part raised a bit so as to carry the water away

from the shelter as, if the roof slopes towards the front, unless the

ground is well drained, there is always a pool just in front of the

doorway. This point must be especially looked after if the floor is

not raised.


Another very charming Crane is the Stanley or, as it is some-



