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THE NUMIDIAN CRANE. 
Ardea Virgo. Lin. Syst. i. p. 23 4 . 2. 
La Grue de Numidie, vulgairement . 
Demoiselle de Numidie. Bris. Orn. v. p. 2 8 8. 
This is the most pleasing bird in the Osterly Collection, and lias received 
the name of Demoiselle, on account of its elegant form, its graceful attitudes, 
and affected gestures. 
The bill is not so long as the Crane, the head (except the crown, which 
is pale ash colour) and neck are black, the fore part of the neck is adorned 
with long, soft, narrow-pointed black feathers, which fall over the breast, 
the rest of the body is of a most delicate bluish ash colour, except the tips 
of the greater quills and tail, which are dusky; from behind each eye there 
springs a tuft of long, soft white feathers, of the most delicate texture, which 
descend in a graceful manner, and which float with the least motion of the 
wind. 
It is gentle and social, apparently much pleased at being admired, and 
embracing every opportunity of shewing and setting itself off to the great- 
est advantage to those who seem attracted by its beauty ; it accompanies 
the visiters in their walk in the most graceful manner imaginable, and puts 
itself into a variety of attitudes, as if it were preparing to entertain the com- 
pany with a dance. 
It is a native of the tropical parts of Africa, on the coasts of Guinea and 
1 ripoli, along the coast of the Mediterranean, and likewise of Egypt It 
has been in a manner naturalized in this country. The subject of this 
ate, with several others, were hatched and reared in the Osterly Me- 
