HERONS. 59 



the Zoological Gardens. Of the eighteen different species known 

 typical examples will be found exhibited. Of these we may call attention 

 to the Common Crane [Grus grus) (601), a regular summer visitor 

 to Europe, the Sarus Cranes {Antigone) of which A. sharpei (605) 

 is common in Burmah, and A. australasiana (604) is well-known in 

 Australia as the " Native Companion," and the great African Wattled 

 Crane [Bugeranus carunculatus) (606). Two very elegant forms are 

 the Stanley^s Crane [Tetrapteryx paradisea) (608) and the Demoiselle 

 {Anthropoides virgo) (609) ; but perhaps the most striking are the 

 Crowned Cranes {Balearica) (610,611), with their curious brush-like 

 crests. The eggs, two or sometimes three in number, are laid in a more 

 or less extensive nest placed on the ground. 



Order XV. ARDEIFORMES. Heron-tribe. 



The Herons, Storks, and Ibises included in this Order differ from ("Cases 

 the Cranes in possessing a bridged or desmognathous jjalate (p. 209), 33, 34.] 

 while their young are hatched in a helpless condition and have to be 

 fed in the nest for a considerable period. 



In the true Herons the bill is almost always long, straight, pointed, 

 often serrated on the edges, and specially adapted for the capture of 

 fish, while the legs and toes are long and suitable for wading. In spite 

 of their structure, apparently so unsuited for an arboreal life, they perch 

 j'eadily on trees, and many species build their loosely-constructed nests 

 of sticks among the branches, either singly or in colonies. 



In flight the head is drawn back between the shoulders. Many of 

 the species assume ornamental plumage during the nesting-season, 

 either in the form of long crest-feathers or elongate plumes on the 

 breast or back. It is from the long " dorsal train " of the Little Egret 

 (Garzeita garzetta) (642) and the Australian Plumed Egret {Mesoplwyx 

 plumifera) (649) [PI. XIV.], as well as other allied species, that the 

 ornamental plumes known among dealers as " Ospreys " are procured. 

 Those who purchase and wear these ornaments would do well to bear 

 in mind that every one of these plumes has been taken from the body 

 of a bird killed while bringing food to its nestlings, which have con- 

 sequently been left to starve. 



The majority of the Herons lay eggs of a beautiful greenish-blue 

 colour, but those of many of the Bitterns are white or yellowish- 

 brown. 



Family I. AaDEiDiE. Herons. (Plates XIII., XIV.) 



The Bitterns {Botaurus) , of which examples will be found on the [Cases 

 floor of Case 33, are seldom found far from marshee i their flight ^^' ^*] 



