HERON. 37 



Inhabits India, called Colong; is reputed a Variety of the 

 Saroos; in Lord Mountnorris's drawings called Koolung. 



We have formerly been of opinion, that the birds called by Fryer, 

 Colum, and Serass, might mean the Whistling and Mute Swans, which 

 are well known to differ essentially in the conformation of the Sternum 

 and Trachea ; but from later information we are led to believe, that 

 they mean no other than Common and Indian Cranes, the latter of 

 these being called in India, Sawrace and Serass, and corrupted by 

 some into Cyrus;* the former known by the name of Colong and 

 Koolung — sliding equally easy into Colum, as Fryer spells it. 



7.— BLACK-BELLIED INDIAN CRANE. 



SIZE large; length uncertain. Bill pale brown ; crown of the 

 head, as far as the middle, crimson ; from thence to the nape black, 

 and finishing in a point; between the bill and eye bare and crimson, 

 passing beneath the eye, and beyond it as a streak ; the rest of the 

 head and breast white, marked on the last with large, black spots ; 

 belly, thighs, and vent black; back, wings, and tail dusky blue, 

 or lead-colour; quills black, and reach to the end of the tail, which 

 is to be seen at all times, as there are no scapulars long enough, as 

 in others, to obscure it ; legs long, and yellowish ; above the joint, 

 for three-fourths of the length, bare ; the rest, next the body, 

 feathery, and black ; claws black. 



* The Cyrus seen in very large flights on the sands, in great rivers, and in shallow jeals; 

 their scream very shrill and loud, and in a still night may be heard two or three miles off: 

 serves for the purpose of falconry, and chased by a Hawk called Behree,* and often a fierce 

 battle arises between them, but the Hawk is mostly victorious, by getting above the Cyrus 

 while in the air, wben seizing the latter by the head, both fall together to the ground.. . 

 Oriental Field Sports, V. ii. p. 68. This Hawk is also sent in pursuit of the Monickjoor.f 

 Currakeel,J or any of the larger, aquatic birds. 



• See Vol. i. p. 175, f Violet Heron. J Demoiselle. 



