347


THE



Hvncultural fllbagasme,



BEING THE JOURNAL OF THE


AVICULTURAL SOCIETY.



Ne7u Series— VOL. V. — NO. 12. — All rights reserved. OCTOBER, 1907.


THE CRANES.


By Hubert D. Asteey, F.Z.S., M.B.O.U.


It might perhaps be useful to some of our members to cata-

logue a list, with a short, and I fear incomplete, description, etc.,

of the members of one of the most splendid families amongst

birds. The Cranes are so stately in their movements, so easily

kept in captivity, so tameable and as a rule so long-lived, that it

is not to be wondered at if with some aviculturists they rank

amongst their very first favourites. The late Lord Ljlford was

especially fond of them, and possessed nearly every known

species, if not every one.


Let us consider their names and habitats, etc.

* # a?


i. The Common Crane (Grus communis).


Once fairly abundant in England, now alas ! like the Great

Bustard and others, no longer to be found.


Hab. : The greater part of Europe and Asia, wintering in

North Africa and Northern India, etc.


Of a fine dark grey colour, face and neck black with white

on the cheek running downwards longitudinally. Skin on crown

of head, cherry red. Wing feathers elongated and curved like

a cock's tail. The call is sonorous and can be heard at a great

distance. * * *


2. The Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis).


In style very like the Common Crane.


Hab. : Tibet and Koko-nor.


General colour, pale ashy grey ; tail black ; larger wing



