Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][ocr errors][merged small]

in search of a better habitation, and that it is then they do this country such signal services. Nor does. the figure of this bird hieroglyphically represented on their pillars, mark it sufficiently to make the distinction. Besides, the modern ibis is not peculiar to Egypt, as it is to be seen but at certain seasons of the year; whereas we are informed by Pliny, that this bird was seen no where else. It is thought, therefore, that the true ibis is a bird of the vulture kind, described above, and called by some the Capon of Pharaoh, which not only is a devourer of serpents, but will follow the caravans that go to Mecca, to feed upon the offal of the animals that are killed on the journey.

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE BALEARIC AND OTHER FOREIGN CRANES.

HAVING ended the last chapter with doubts concerning the ibis, we shall begin this with doubts concerning the Balearic Crane. Pliny has described a bird of the crane kind with a topping resembling that of the green woodpecker. This bird for a long time continued unknown, till we became acquainted with birds of the tropical climates, when one of the crane kind, with a topping, was brought into Europe, and described by Aldrovandus as Pliny's Balearic Crane. Hence these birds, which have since been brought from Africa and the East in numbers, have received the name of Balearic Cranes, but without any just foundation. The real Balearic Crane of Pliny seems to be the lesser ash-coloured heron, with a topping of narrow white feathers, or perhaps the egret, with two long feathers that fall back from

the sides of the head. The bird that we are about to describe under the name of the Balearic Crane was unknown to the ancients; and the heron or egret ought to be reinstated in their just title to that name.

When we see a very extraordinary animal, we are naturally led to suppose, that there must be something also remarkable in its history to correspond with the singularity of its figure. But it often happens that history fails on those occasions where we most desire information. In the present instance, in particular, no bird presents to the eye a more whimsical figure than this, which me must be content to call the Balearic Crane. It is pretty nearly of the shape and size of the ordinary crane, with long legs and a long neck, like others of the kind; but the bill is shorter, and the colour of the feathers of a dark greenish-gray. The head and throat form the most striking part of this bird's figure. On the head is seen standing up a thick round crest made of bristles, spreading every way, and resembling rays standing out in different directions. The longest of these rays are about three inches and a half; and they are all topped with a kind of black tassels, which give them a beautiful appearance. The sides of the head and cheeks 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. To give this odd composition a higher finishing, the eye is large and staring; the pupil black and big, surrounded with a gold-coloured iris, that completes the bird's very singular appearance.

From such a peculiar figure, we might be led to wish for a minute history of its maners; but of these we can give but slight information. 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, and suffer themselves to be approached (at least it was so with that I saw) 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 manners and disposition, that some have described them by the name of the Sea peacock; and Ray has been inclined to rank them in the same family. But, though their voice and roosting be similar, their food, which is entirely upon greens, vegetables, and barley, seems to make some difference.

In this chapter of foreign birds of the crane kind, it will be proper to mention the Jabiru and the Jabiru Guacu, both natives of Brasil.* Of these great birds of the crane kind we know but little, except the general outline of their figure, and the enormous bills which we often see preserved in the cabinets of the curious. The bill of the latter is red, and thirteen inches long; the bill of the former is black, and is found to be eleven. Neither of them, however, are of a size proportioned to their immoderate length of bill. The jabiru guacu is not above the size of a

[* The Jabiru is about the size of a turkey. The bill is long, stout, and of a black colour; the whole plumage is white, except the head, and about two-thirds of the neck, which are bare of feathers and of a blackish colour; the remainder is also bare, and of a fine red; on the hind-head are a few grayish feathers; the legs are strong, of a great length, and covered with black scales; wings and tail even at the end. This bird is found in all the savannas of Cayenne, Guiana, and other parts of South America. It is migratory and gregarious. It makes its nest in great trees, which grow on the banks of rivers, lays two eggs, and brings up the young in the nest till they can descend to the ground. The colour of the young birds is gray; the second year it changes to rose-colour and the third to pure white. They are very wild and voracious, and their food is fish, which they devour in great quantities. The flesh of the young birds is said to be good eating, but that of the old is hard and oily.]

VOL. IV.-B

« PreviousContinue »