90 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



favourite marshes, but occasionally on the top of some deserted edifice. The eggs are two in number, 

 and have a greenish shell, spotted with brown. Both parents brood, and feed their offspring at first in 

 the nest; the young do not attain their full strength of wing until several months old. 



THE DEMOISELLE, OR NUMIDIAN CRANE. 



The Demoiselle, or Numidian Crane (Anthropoides virgo), is distinguishable from its congeners 

 by its short beak and entirely feathered head, which is decorated with two flowing plumes ; also by the 

 length of the plumage on the lower neck, and the prolonged but straight feathers on the upper wing- 

 covers. The unusually soft plumage is chiefly light grey ; the long feathers on the lower neck are 

 deep black, the crests pure white, and the quills greyish black ; the eye is bright red ; the beak dull 

 green at the base, horn-grey towards the extremity, and pale red at the tip ; the foot is black. This 

 species is from thirty-two to thirty-three inches long and sixty-four broad ; the wing measures 

 seventeen and the tail six inches. The young are without the flowing feathers on the head and neck. 



This beautiful and attractive bird inhabits South-eastern Europe and Central Asia, and is 

 especially numerous at the mouth of the Volga, in the countries bordering on the Caspian Sea, 

 and in Mongolia and Tartary ; from thence it wanders as far as Southern India and Central Africa ; 

 occasionally it has been also met with in South-western Europe. The Demoiselle Crane arrives and 

 departs about the same time as the other members of the family, and like them frequents the vicinity 

 of water or morasses, but, according to Radde, sometimes occupies mountain regions, even to an 

 altitude of 3,500 feet above the sea. In its habits and modes of life it closely resembles the Cranes 

 already described, and like them lays but two eggs. Both sexes brood, and commence their prepara- 

 tions about April ; by the end of July the young are fledged, and shortly after that time are able to 

 fly in company with the adults. The Demoiselles have received their name from the dancing 

 movements in which they frequently indulge, the males entertaining the females and each other by 

 leaping and turning round, accompanying all their actions with a constant waving of the head. 



The AFRICAN CROWNED CRANES (Balearicd) possess a powerful body, moderate-sized 

 neck, large head, and a strong, conical, slightly-curved bill of medium length • the legs and feet are 

 long ; the claws strong ; the wings very much rounded, with the fourth quill longer than the rest ; 

 the tail is short and straight ; and the plumage thick. The back of the head is adorned with a 

 conspicuous plume of bristle-like feathers, while those on the neck and upper breast are prolonged, 

 and those on the wing-covers disunited at the web ; the prominent cheeks and throat are bare. The 

 sexes differ but little in colour ; the young are of duller complexion than the adults. These fine 

 birds are natives of Africa, and have hitherto been classed with the Cranes ; owing, however, to the 

 many important points in which they differ from the members of that family, we have preferred to 

 place them in a different group. 



THE CROWNED AFRICAN OR PEACOCK CRANE. 



The Crowned African or Peacock Crane (Balearica pavonina) has black plumage, and a 

 golden yellow and black crest ; the feathers on the wing-covers are pure white, and most of the 

 upper secondaries reddish brown, those at the exterior being golden yellow ; the eye is white ; the 

 cheeks are light flesh-pink above, and bright red below ; the beak is black, tipped with white ; and 

 the foot blackish grey. During the life of this bird the plumage is covered with a blueish dust. The 

 length of the body is thirty-eight inches, the breadth seventy-two ; the wing measures* nineteen inches 

 and a half, and the tail eight inches and a half. 



This species was formerly supposed to be a native of the Balearic Isles, whence its scientific 



