24 SIBERIAN CRANE. 



Specific Characters. — The face naked, covered with some kairs 

 or a yellowisli down; plumage white, with the first ten primaries 

 black. Length of male three feet ten inches, female four feet 

 six inches. 



It is with, mucli hesitation, and only as a doubtful 

 European species, that I introduce this beautiful and 

 magnificent bird into this work. 



According to Nordmann it is common south of the 

 Volga, and on the western shores of the Caspian Sea; 

 he also says that two individuals were seen by Pallas 

 in April, in the neighbourhood of St. Petersburg. 

 Temminck endorsed this statement, but it has never 

 been corroborated by other observers. Writing in 1855, 

 ("Naumannia," p. 480,) Professor Blasius includes it 

 among the doubtful European species; and in a private 

 letter which I received from M. De Selys-Longchamps, 

 dated August 25th., 1861, this distinguished ornitholo- 

 gist expresses his doubts whether it ought to be considered 

 a European species. 



The real bome of the Great White Crane is Siberia 

 and Persia, from whence, if ever seen in Europe, it 

 accidentally wanders. P'he Cranes are remarkable for 

 their long flight, and hence this and other allied species 

 may be seen crossing parts of the European continent 

 in their migrations, without becoming entitled to a 

 place in its avifauna. It is a very shy bird, and its 

 identity is often assumed from its large size and white 

 colour, as seen at a distance. 



In his interesting account of the '^'Vogel des Amur- 

 Landes," Dr. Leopold Von Schrenck relies upon this 

 species of evidence, as will be shewn in the following 

 extract from his work: — "I believe this majestic Crane 

 has been many times observed in Amur- Land, without 



