365 



" I ought not to omit to notice that, out of more than twenty specimens of the White Crane 

 that I have procured (between October and the middle of March), none had the tertials at all 

 conspicuously elongated ; and in no instance did these, when the wings were closed, exceed the 

 tail-feathers or longest primaries (which usually reach just to the end of the tail) by more than 

 3 inches. It is possible that at the breeding-season the tertials may be much more developed ; 

 but such is not the case with the Sarus, nor, I fancy (to judge from the magnificent trains of 

 plumes with which we here shoot them in winter), with the common Crane. 



"The feathers of the hind head and nape are somewhat lengthened, so as to form a full and 

 broad though short subcrest, very noticeable when a wounded bird is defending itself against 

 dogs or other assailants. It is a brave bird, and fights to the last, striking out powerfully at 

 times with bill, legs, and wings, but most generally defending itself chiefly with its bill, with 

 which it inflicts occasionally almost serious wounds." 



I find no particulars on record respecting the breeding-habits of this bird. Mr. Hume says 

 that the birds when they arrive in India are never accompanied by more than one young bird to 

 each pair, from which it would appear that they lay but one egg ; but probably, like most of 

 their congeners, two will be the normal number. 



The specimen figured and described is an adult bird in winter dress from North-west India, 

 for which I am indebted to my friend Mr. W. E. Brooks, C.E. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, d ad. N.W. India, -winter (TV. E. Brooks). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram. 



a, ad. N.W. India. 



3y 



