482 



MANUAI- or ZOOLOGY. 



some of the most typical and familiar forms contamed m the 

 entire order. The bill in this family is long— usually longer 

 than the head— and is compressed from side to side ; the legs 

 are long and slender, having a considerable portion of the 

 tibiffi unfeathered; and the feet have four toes, which are 

 usually connected to a greater or less extent at their bases by 

 membrane. In this family are the Cranes, Herons, Stork, Ibis, 

 Spoonbill, and others of less importance. 



Fig. t88. — Crested Heron {Ardea cinered). Europe. 



The Cranes {Gruidd) are large and elegant birds, and are 

 chiefly remarkable for their long migrations, which were noticed 

 by many classical authors. In these journeys the Cranes 

 usually fly in large flocks, led by a single leader, so that the 

 whole assemblage assumes a wedge-like form ; or they fly in 

 long lines. The common Crane {Grus cinered) breeds in the 

 north of Europe and Siberia, and migrates southwards at the 

 approach of winter. The Numidian Crane or Demoiselle in- 

 habits Asia and Africa, the Stanley Cranes {Anthropoides) are 

 natives of the East Indies, and the Crowned Cranes {Balearka) 

 are African. The Herons (Ardeida) are familiarly known to 

 every one in the person of the common Grey or Crested Heron 



