( 78 ) 

 75&^ Numidian Crane, 



Numb. LXXXIII. 



TS length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Toes was three 

 Foot and a half; the Bill long, ftreight and endirig in a Point which 

 was red, the middle and upper part yeliowj the Eyes large, the I- 

 xides of a fine fcarlet Colour; from behind the Eyes proceeded long Ap- 

 pendices compofed of white Feathers made of fine long Fibres, after the 

 inanner of the Feathers that young Herons have on the Back near the 

 Wings. 



The Head, hind part of the Neck, Back, Wings and Tail were of a 

 cinereous or lead Colour: The forepart of the Neck was adorned with 

 black Feathers compofed of fine Fibres of about nine Inches long, ve- 

 ry foft to the Touch. 



The Legs are long, of a yellow Colour and bare above Knee, cover- 

 ed on the fore fide v/ith great Scales ; the Soles of the Feet were fpeckled 

 iikc Shagreen j the fore Toes long, the hind Toe fhort, the Talons black. 



This Bird is called Demoifelles by reafon of certain ways of adling that 

 it has, wherein it feems to imitate the Geftures of a Woman who affedis 

 a Grace in her Walking, Obeifances, and Dancing. This Refemblance 

 muft be thought to have fome reafonable Ground, feeing that for above 

 two thoufand Years the Authors who have treated of this Bird have de- 

 figned it by this Particularity of the Imitation of the Geftures and Be- 

 haviour of Men. Arijlotle gives to it the Name of Adtor or Comedian. 

 Pliny calls it Parafite and Dancer. Xe77opho7^ fays that the Method 

 which Fowlers make ufe of to take thefe Birds is by rubbing their Eyes 

 in their Prefence, with Water put into Veflels which they carry away, 

 leaving fuch Veflels filled with Glue wherewith thefe Birds glue their 

 Feet and Eyes, when they endeavour to imitate what they have feen 

 others do. I faw this Bird at Sir Henry Maynard\, 



The 



