THE CRESTED CRANE 211 



seen considerable numbers together on the vast 

 plains bordering the Urema River, and again in 

 the low country south of Luabo. I have possessed 

 several, and can imagine no more charming orna- 

 ment for the grounds of a country house. Stand- 

 ing nearly four feet in height, this majestic 

 creature's prevailing hue is of pale French grey 

 on back and breast, darkening to a dull purple 

 at the tail and wing extremities. The Aving covers 

 and the inner wing feathers are snowy white, 

 whilst the eyes, in which there is a perpetual ex- 

 pression of ill-used astonishment, are set in a white 

 cheek surmounted by a round greenish tuft ter- 

 minating in a semicircular aureole of spiky feathers 

 running from front to back. They are not only 

 ornamental, but most useful in a large garden, 

 effectually ridding it of all insect pests. Their 

 tameness is quite extraordinary, as is the singular 

 and touching attachment they form to any place 

 to which they may grow accustomed, whilst their 

 curious dances are difficult to behold unmoved. 

 In this respect they share the inexplicable habit 

 of the huge Marabou {Leptoptilus), and are ad- 

 dicted to fits of sudden unaccountable posture- 

 making, in the course of which they spread their 

 wings as though for flight, and execute a number 

 of more or less intricate steps, bobbing, curtseying, 

 and sweeping round in circles, with aU the grace 

 and precision of a practised dancer. A pair of 

 these birds which dwelt in my gardens at Quelimane 

 were a source of continual amusement to me, and 

 if I could avoid it 1 never missed the spectacle 

 of the struggle between them and the small boy 



