98 
NATURAL I1IST0RT. 
of black tassels, which give them a beautiful appearance. 
The sides of the head and checks are bare, whitish, and 
edged with red, while underneath the throat hangs a kind 
of bag or wattle, like that of a cock, but not divided into 
two. This bird comes from the coast of Africa and the 
Cape de Verd Islands. As it runs, it stretches out its wings, 
and goes very swiftly, otherwise its usual motion is very 
slow. In their domestic state they walk very deliberately 
among other poultry, andsulFer themselves to be approached 
by every spectator. They never roost in houses: but about 
night, when they are disposed to go to rest, they search out 
some high wall, on which they perch in the manner of a 
peacock. Indeed, they so much resemble that bird in man- 
ners and disposition, that some have described them by the 
name of the sea-peacock. But though their voice and roost- 
ing be similar, their food, which is entirely greens, vege- 
tables, and barley, seems to make some difference. 
The Gigantic Crave will frequently measure seven fceland 
a half, when standing erect, and from the tip of one wing 
to that of the other fourteen feet ten inches. The head and 
neck are naked, and of a yellowish colour. The feathers on 
the back and wings are of an iron colour, those of the breast 
and belly of a dirty white. The craw hangs down on the 
fore-part of the neck, like a pouch, and the lower part is 
hairy. These birds are gregarious, and when their wings 
are spread appear like a number of canoes on the surface 
of the water, i'hey may be easily tamed, and become so 
familiar that a young one at the King of the Bananas in 
Africa became so troublesome, that the servants were obliged 
to guard the provisions by beating it off with switches ; but 
notwithstanding this, it commonly purloined someth in<r, 
and one day was known to swallow at a mouthful a whole 
boiled low l. It v/as accustomed to roost very bigli among 
the cotton trees, whence, at two or three miles distance, ft 
could spy the dinner carrying across the yard, when, dart- 
ing from its station, it would enter promiscuously with the 
persons who carried in the dishes. This monster inhabits 
the southern parts of Africa and India. It preys upon 
birds, reptiles, and small quadrupeds. On opening one of 
them a land tortoise, ten inches long, and a large black 
cat were (bund entire in its stomach. 
The Wattled Heron is a very curious bird. The top of 
the head is blue grey, the vest of the head and neck white, 
under the chin are two wattles covered with white feathers. 
The back and wings are blue grey, and the quills and 
belly are black. This bird is a native of Africa. 
