724 
ty, so there seems little to hope 
for from this source. ‘The Zoo- 
logical Society is fortunate 
enough to possess a very fine 
whooper and it is hoped that he 
will be blessed with the usual 
longevity of his race. 
The Manchurian Crane, (G. 
japonensis), is one of the most 
strikingly handsome of all the 
group. It is very uncommon 
in captivity, and now for the 
first time is represented in the 
collection. Its general color is 
white, as in the whooper, but in 
this case the arched and pointed 
secondaries are black and the 
primaries white. A slaty-black 
band extends down each side of 
the neck, the two joining on the 
nape. The bird measures about 
fifty inches from tip to tip when 
fully extended. It ranges from 
eastern Siberia to 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 depict- 
ed on Japanese screens are usu- 
ally of this species. 
Next in systematic order comes 
the Asiatic White Crane, (Sarco- 
geranus leucogeranus). Itis con- 
siderably smaller than the fore- 
going, and is found from south- 
eastern Europe to China and Japan. It is white, 
the primaries black, and the head bare and red- 
dish in color. The immature birds of this spe- 
cies, as well as those of the whooper, have the 
white plumage infused with cinnamon-buff, giv- 
ing them a remarkable 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. The speci- 
men in the Zoological Park, however, has a tem- 
per so irascible that he cannot be approached 
with impunity and is no longer allowed the free- 
dom of the large paddock. 
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 approach- 
ing 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 
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
SANDHILL 
BULLETIN. 
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 an uncer- 
tain temper make it a companion 
to be feared. 
One of the rarities of the col- 
lection is the White - Necked 
Crane, (Pseudogeranus leucau- 
chen). 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 faleate secondaries, 
which are very light in color, are 
curved less abruptly and hence 
more gracefully than in some 
other species. It is found in east- 
ern Siberia, Corea and Japan 
and is very seldom imported 
alive. In captivity it is quiet 
and docile, showing a most pleas- 
ing absence of the pugnacity so 
frequent among its congeners. 
A crane of unusual and hand- 
some appearance is the Stanley 
or Paradise, (Tetrapteryx para- 
disea). It is a bird of fair size, 
ranging throughout the south- 
ern portions of Africa, where 
it is fairly common. In color it is a uni- 
form slate, becoming practically white on the 
head, the feathers of which are so lengthened as 
to give it a strangely swollen effect. The 
drooping secondaries reach the height of their 
development and beauty in this species. The 
Paradise is a very desirable bird for the ayvicul- 
turist, for both its docility and beauty; it is im- 
ported very infrequently. 
In captivity, the crane most frequently seen is 
the dainty Demoiselle, (Anthropoides virgo). It 
is the smallest of the family, as well as the most 
widely distributed, since it breeds in southern 
Europe and central Asia and spends the winters 
in southern Asia and northern Africa. Its gen- 
eral color is the conventional gray, set off by the 
elongated black feathers of the breast, those 
over the eyes being drawn out into lateral tufts 
of silky white. The demoiselle is brought to the 
United States each year in scores, for the de- 
mand for it is great. Its small size reduces its 
capacity for mischief, even if its usually even 
CRANE. 
