CRANES 123 



Corea and Japan ; in the last-named island it was formerly 

 held sacred and was allowed to be hawked by the nobles 

 only. The cranes depicted on Japanese screens are usually 

 of this species. 



Next in systematic order comes the Asiatic White Crane 

 (Sarcogeranus leucogeramis). It is considerably smaller 

 than the foregoing, and is found from southeastern Europe 

 to China and Japan. It is white, the primaries black and 

 the head bare and reddish in color. The immature birds of 

 this species, as well as those of the Whooper, have the white 

 plumage infused with cinnamon-buff, giving them a remark- 

 able appearance. This is one of those species more easily 

 obtained alive, and is brought to this country in some 

 numbers. It is quite hardy and easily tamable. 



Of the larger cranes, the Sarus {Antigone antigone), an 

 Indian species, is most commonly seen in collections. It is 

 the tallest of the order, sometimes attaining a length of 

 sixty inches. Its color is a handsome French gray, the over- 

 hanging secondaries closely approaching white; the head 

 and the upper part of the neck are bare and reddish, the 

 gray feathers of the lower neck being bordered above by a 

 band of white. The Sarus is a most vigorous bird and 

 inclined to be dangerous when associated with smaller and 

 weaker species; its height, strength and uncertain temper 

 make it a companion to be feared. 



One of the rarities of the order is the White-necked 

 Crane {Pseudogeranus leucauchen). This is a medium- 

 sized bird, of a beautiful shade of gray, with the throat 

 and the posterior portions of the head and neck white, the 

 gray of the shoulders commencing at a sharp line. The 

 anterior part of the crown is bare and reddish. The long 

 and falcate secondaries, which are very light in color, are 

 curved less abruptly and hence more gracefully than in 

 some other species. It is found in eastern Siberia, Corea 



