THE HERON. 387 
The forehead, top of the head, and neck are rather dark slaty ash, and a 
patch of greyish white extends from behind the eyes, partially down the neck 
on each side. The general surface of the body is soft ashen grey, and the 
primaries are black, The long plumy tertials form two crest-like ornaments, 
which can be raised or depressed at will. The eyes are red, and the beak is 
yellow with a green tinge. The total length of the adult crane is about four 
feet, but it is rather variable in point of size, and the males are rather larger 
than the females. 
The DEMOISELLE, or NUMIDIAN CRANE is common in many parts of 
Africa, and has been seen in some portions of Asia, and occasionally in 
Eastern Europe. 
It is a very pretty bird, the soft texture of the flowing plumage, and the 
delicate greys of the feathers, harmonizing with each other in a very agreeable 
manner, The general tint of 
the plumage is blue-grey, 
taking a more leaden tone 
on the head and neck, and 
offering a beautiful contrast 
to the snowy white ear-tufts, 
issuing from velvety black, 
which decorate the head. 
There is also a tuft of long 
flowing plumes of a deep 
black-grey hanging from the 
breast. Its secondaries are 
much elongated, and hang 
over the primaries and tail- 
feathers. In height the De- 
moiselle Crane is about three 
feet six inches. 
THE well-known HERON 
was once one of our com- 
monest English birds, but on 
account of the draining of 
Swamps and their conver- 
sion into fertilized and ha- 
bitable ground, is now sel- 
dom to be seen except in CRANE.—(Grus cinerea.) 
certain localities which still 
retain the conditions that render them so acceptable to this bird. There 
aré some places where Herons are yet plentiful, especially those localities 
where the owner of the land has established or protected the nests, or where 
a wide expanse of wild uncultivated ground affords them a retreat. Only 
a few days ago I came suddenly on three of these beautiful birds fishing 
quietly in the Avon, and permitting my approach within a few yards before 
they spread their wide wings for fl ght. 
The food of the Heron consists mostly of fish and reptiles, but it will eat 
small mammalia, such as mice, or even water-rats. In the stomach of one of 
these birds were found seven small trout, a mouse, and athrush. Eels also are 
a favourite food of the Heron, but on account of their lithe bodies and active 
wrigglings are not so easy to despatch as ordinary fish, and are accordingly 
taken on shore and banged against the ground until disabled. 
Like many other birds, the Heron is able to disgorge the food which it has 
swallowed, and resorts to this measure when it is chased by birds of prey 
while going-home after a day’s fishing. 
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