ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
NESTING CRANE IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 
temper should allow it to fall from grace; its 
engaging ways excite the admiration of all who 
have opportunity to observe them. This crane 
is quite willing to breed in confinement, and has 
done so in this country on at least two occasions. 
The Crowned Crane, (Balearica pavonina), of 
western Africa, differs from all the others in the 
possession of an occipital patch of straw-like 
plumes, from which it derives its name. It is a 
handsome bird, the blackish slate of its body 
plumage being contrasted by white wing-coverts 
and chestnut secondaries. The sides of the head 
are bare and colored white above and pink be- 
low; there are two small, pinkish wattles on the 
throat. This crane is uncommon in America, 
very few having been imported. It is long- 
lived and attractive, and not so determined a 
root digger as most others; but its temper, 
among the Society's specimens, at least, is de- 
cidedly choleric. 
All of the cranes 
nest on the ground, 
usually in marshes 
or on open plains, 
forming their nests 
of grass and rushes. 
The eggs are gen- 
erally whitish or 
buff in color, 
double-spotted with 
yellow or brown 
blotches, and com- 
monly two in num- 
ber. 
Young cranes 
are most precocious, 
being able to run 
CROWNED CRANE. 
BULLETIN. 7125 
about quite freely soon after 
hatching. 
the youngsters 
to forage for themselves, their 
For a short time be- 
fore commence 
food consists mainly of insects 
brought to them by the old birds. 
The parent birds are very devot- 
ed to their offspring, caring for 
them with great solicitude and 
guarding them valiantly against 
intruders. If an attempt to 
breed cranes in captivity is to 
be made, a large, grassy run 
should be provided for the ex- 
clusive use of the family, as anx- 
iety for the welfare and safety 
of the chicks is apt to make the 
parents over zealous in the treat- 
ment of the others in the same corral. 
An adult crane is a formidable antagonist, not 
to be despised even by a man. Frequently some 
members of the collection are so savage that they 
must be isolated and the keeper must then con- 
tinually guard himself against attack. The 
crane stretches his long neck to the uttermost 
and without hesitation makes frantic thrusts with 
his powerful beak, so swift and certain that the 
eye can scarcely follow the movement. 
An interesting characteristic of cranes is their 
habit of indulging at frequent intervals in gro- 
tesque dances, which may be performed by an 
individual, or by a group in graceful unison. 
The leader starts off leaping and bowing, with 
broad wings widely expanded; now seizing a 
leaf or bit of stick, now tossing it aside in capric- 
ious disdain. The spirit of the dance is in- 
fectious, and instantly the enclosure is a turmoil 
of leaping, bobbing birds, each striving to outdo 
the others in ex- 
travagance of ges- 
ture and motion. 
Most of the spe- 
cies are provided 
with lusty voices, 
which they delight 
to use with great 
freedom. However, 
the tones, which 
are clear and trum- 
pet-like, are far 
from disagreeable, 
and detract nothing 
from the perform- 
er’s eligibility to a 
favored place in the 
list of captives. 
DEMOISELLE CRANE. 
