NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



167 



LITTLE BROWN CRANE. 



DEMOISELLE CRANE. 



the eggs are incubated by the heat of the sun and the fer- 

 mentation of the mass. When hatched, the young chicks are 

 able to fly. 



THE CRANES. 



At present the Cranes of the Zoological Park are divided 

 between the Ostrich House and the Aquatic Bird House, and 

 their environs. In summer there are exhibits of these birds 

 in the outdoor yards adjacent to each of those buildings. 

 Recently, a number of species have been acclimatized in the 

 Crane Paddock, and are to be seen there winter and sum- 

 mer. 



The Whooping Crane, (Grus americana) , is the largest, the 

 handsomest and the rarest crane species in America. Its 

 great size and its pure-white plumage — except its primar- 

 ies—render it conspicuous from afar, and its voice will carry 

 half a mile. The arched secondary wing feathers of the 

 adult give the bird a very jaunty appearance. This species 

 is so rare that thus far we have been able in eight years 

 to secure only three specimens. The Whooping Crane nests 

 in summer in the Arctic regions, hut in winter it ranges 

 as far south as Mexico. Our specimens of this bird will in 

 summer be found in the large paddock immediately north 

 of the Aquatic Bird House, with the next species. 

 ■ The Sandhill Crane, (Grus mexicana), is smaller than the 

 preceding species, more common, and is frequently seen in 



