Genus ANTHROPOIDES, Vieill. 



Gen\ Char. Bill scarcely longer than the head, entire above, sulcated. Nostrils linear. 

 Head either feathered, or the temples naked. Feet four-toed, cleft; the outer toes con- 

 nected by a membrane at the base. 



NUMIDIAN DEMOISELLE. 



Anthropoides Virgo, Vieill. 

 La Grue Demoiselle. 



Africa is undoubtedly the true habitat of the members of this genus, of which the bird here figured is a 

 typical example ; at the same time, that the range of this species is exceedingly extensive is proved by the 

 circumstance of our having lately seen a specimen killed in Nepal, and we are of opinion that it is also 

 sparingly dispersed over other parts of India. In Africa the Numidian Demoiselle is abundant over the whole 

 of its northern portions, particularly in the neighbourhood of Bildulgerid and Tripoli, while its beautiful ally 

 the Anthropoides Stanleymius of Mr. Vigors is confined to its southern portions. Dr. Latham mentions that 

 it is very common along the whole of the African coast of the Mediterranean ; we need not therefore be 

 surprised at its being included in the Fauna of Europe, as its great powers of flight would readily enable it to 

 cross the Mediterranean ; and this we find to be the case, as the same author informs us it is found in the 

 southern plains about the Black and Caspian Seas, that it is frequently seen beyond Lake Baikal, about the 

 rivers Selinga and Argun, but that it is never seen further north. M. Temminck also includes it in the Fauna 

 of Europe as an occasional visitant to the southern parts of the Continent. It everywhere evinces a partiality 

 for marshes and the neighbourhood of rivers, and feeds upon snails, aquatic insects, small fish, and lizards. 



Like the Cranes in general, it bears confinement extremely well, and forms a highly ornamental and docile 

 creature in the menagerie. It has been known to breed in captivity, but of its nidification in a state of nature 

 nothing is on record. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. 



Cheeks, throat, front part of the neck, primaries, and the tips of the prolonged scapularies black ; a tuft of 

 feathers proceeding backward from the eye pure white ; crown of the head and all the remainder of the 

 plumage delicate ash grey ; bill black at the base and yellow at the tip ; legs brownish black. 



We have figured an adult male rather more than half the natural size. 



