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The cullum, or large crane, similar to the demoiselle of Nu- 

 midia (ardea virgo, Lin.) is a majestic bird ; some when erect are 

 near six feet high; the sahras or cyrus, a bird of the same genus, 

 equals it in stature, and excels it in the beauty of its plumage, ge- 

 nerally of an azure hue, with a crimson head. The mention of 

 these birds induces me to transcribe a circumstance from my memo- 

 randa, which, if not otherwise interesting, affords an additional 

 instance of the instinct and memory of birds, to those related by 

 Buffbn, Goldsmith, and other naturalists. 



Riding out one evening in the Dhuboy district, I left my 

 hackery and attendants at a village, and taking my book retired 

 as usual, with only one peon, to walk in the corn-fields; where, 

 amidst a crop of juarree (holcus sorghum, Lin.) I saw a large flock 

 of cullums and sahrases, devouring their share of the harvest. On 

 our approach they all flew away, except one young sahras, who, 

 being too weak to escape, was caught by the peon. He very con- 

 tentedly ate some juarree out of my hand, and we carried him to 

 Dhuboy, where he became quite domesticated. At Baroche he 

 was equally beloved and caressed by all the family. Our garden- 

 house was about a mile from the west gate of that city; the sahras 

 generally walked thither at the dinner hour of the garrison; he was 

 always a welcome guest, both with the Europeans and sepoys, and 

 ate as much of their rice and cutcheree as he chose. This bird, 

 when he attained his full growth, was near six feet high; with 

 beautiful plumage, an elegant form, and stately air, blended with 

 a pleasant familiarity. We were then preparing to leave India, 

 and, however agreeable the sahras might be in the extensive pre- 

 cincts of a villa, I was fearful his size and appetite might cause 



