fine crest upon the head, which falls down towards the back part of it, under which, on each side of the head, is a black spot: the rest of the head and neck, and the under parts of the body are white; the back and the wings are a pleasing mixture of black and white. The tail is about three inches long, of a kind of dusky ash colour, the feathers on each side shortening gradually. The bill is of a lead colour, at the extremity of which is a dirty coloured spot of white; it is somewhat less than that of the generality of the duck kind, a little hooked, with large open nostrils; the legs are pretty much of the same colour as the bill, and the eyes are darkish coloured.

The female of this bird has no crest; the sides of the head are red, the throat white, the wings of a dusky ash colour; in other respects it agrees with the male. They feed on fish, but are very rarely seen in England, except in very hard seasons, and then not more than three or four of them together.

THIS is the smallest bird of the duck kind, it is common in England in the winter months; and some imagine that it breeds here as well as it does in France.

VOL. II.

G

It does not usually weigh more than twelve ounces; and it measures about sixteen inches from the point of the bill to the tip of the tail, and from the extremity of each wing, when extended, nearly two feet. The bill is of a dark brown colour, the head is considerably lighter, inclining to a bay, with a large white stripe over each eye, bending downwards, towards the back part of the head: the back and sides under the wings are curiously varied with lines of white and black. The breast is of a dirty coloured yellow, interspersed with dusky transverse lines; the belly more bright, with yellowish brown spots: the quill feathers of the wings are of a dusky brown, with white edges; the covert feathers appear of a fine shining green, with their tips white; the scapular feathers are more inclining to an ash colour; the legs and feet are brown, the claws black.-These birds feed on cresses, chervil, and other weeds, and also on seeds and some kinds of water insects. The flesh is a great delicacy, and has a less fishy taste than any other of the wild duck tribe.

The female constructs her nest of reeds interwoven with grass, and is said to make it among rushes, that it may rise or fall with the varying height of the

water.

The Chinese Teal of Edwards, and the summer duck of Catesby, are elegant species; the former is a native of China, sometimes brought alive into England, but too tender to be reared in this country. It is of a dusky brown on the upper parts, and chestnut coloured on the neck and breast; the scapulars are black, and at the bend of each wing are three transverse streaks of black, and two of white alternately. On the head is a fine expanded crest, of which the base is white, and the upper part a beautiful glossy green. The Summer Duck inhabits Mexico and some of the West India Islands; and is to be seen here at times in the menageries of the curious.

CRANES belong to the Heron tribe, and the varieties are very numerous, there being in the whole nearly a hundred of them. They are chiefly found in temperate and hot climates, and some of them are migratory. Birds of this species may, for the most part, be distinguished by the length of their legs and bills, the latter of which are possessed of great sensibility near the point, and even furnished with nerves, for the better feeling their food at the bottom of marshes, where it cannot be seen. None of them have been taken under the protection of man; but they lead a life of precarious liberty, in fens and marshes, at the edges of lakes, and along the seashore. These cannot, strictly speaking, be called either land birds or water fowl; as they derive all their sustenance from watery places,

and yet are unqualified to seek it in those depths where it is found in greatest plenty.

The Crane measures upwards of five feet in length and three feet in height, with a neck proportioned to the length of its legs. The top of the head is covered with black bristles, and the back of it, which is bald and of a red colour, distinguishes it from the stork, to which it would otherwise bear a very near resemblance. The bill is more than four inches long, and somewhat cylindrical. The plumage is generally ash coloured, and from the pinion of each wing grow two large tufts of feathers finely curled at the ends; which the bird can erect or depress at pleasure. Some parts of the wings are blackish.

The arctic regions seem to be the favourite spring abode of these birds: for although they are found in most parts of Europe, except Great Britain, they may be considered as visitants rather than inhabitants; as they migrate from one part to another, and seem to follow the seasons. In winter they inhabit the warmer regions of Arabia and Egypt. Though now strangers to England, they are said to have formerly visited the marshes of Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire in vast flocks. They are seen in France, in the spring and autumn, but merely as passengers. As they rise from the ground but heavily, they are extremely shy, and seldom let the fowler approach them. They, however, fly very high, and form themselves into a triangle the better to overcome the resistance of the air. Their migratory voyages are generally performed under the cover of darkness, and their depredations are usually made at night, when they will enter a field of corn, and trample it down, as if it had been crossed over by a regiment of soldiers. On other occasions, not finding that grain which is most suitable to their appetites, they choose some extensive solitary marsh, where they range themselves all day, as if they were in deli

beration; and wade for insects and other food, which they can procure with less difficulty and danger.The female lays two eggs, about the size of those of a goose, but of a bluish colour. The young ones may be easily domesticated.

THE GIGANTIC CRANE.

THIS bird is much larger than the former; measuring from tip to tip of the wings nearly fifteen feet. The bill is of a vast size, nearly triangular, and sixteen inches round at the base. The head and neck are naked, except a few straggling curled hairs. The feathers of the back and wings are of a bluish ash colour, and very stout; those of the breast are long. The craw hangs down the fore part of the neck like a pouch. The belly is covered with a dirty white down; and the upper part of the back and shoulders are surrounded with the same. The legs and half the thighs are naked; and the naked parts are full three feet in length.

This bird is an inhabitant of Bengal and Calcutta, and is sometimes found on the coast of Guinea. It arrives in the internal parts of Bengal before the period of the rains, and retires as soon as the dry season commences. It has a filthy and disgusting aspect, yet it is one of the most useful birds of those countries, in freeing them of snakes and noxious reptiles and insects. It seems to finish the work begun by the jackall and vulture: they clearing away the flesh of animals, and these birds removing the bones by swallowing them entire. They sometimes feed on fish and one of them will generally devour as much as would serve four men. In the craw of a Crane of this species has been found a land tortoise, ten inches long, and in its stomach a large black cat.

Gigantic Cranes are found in companies; and when