' 'S
■ ¡ ¡ Ï
»
!■ I»MI
' J ä v ÉT
IBIf
m $ r <
11
1 M i l I
m f
im
m B
i m m
W k i
ÉilliÉ
«
w
O i l i S E B
! ffötM: }
Genus ANTHROPOIDES, Vieill.
G e n . C har. B i l l scarcely longer than the head, entire above, sulcated. N os tr ils linear.
H ea d either feathered, or the temples naked. F e e t four-toed, cleft; the outer toes con-
nected by a membrane at the base.
NUMIDI AN DEMOI SELLE .
A nthropoid es V ir g o , Vie ill.
L a G rü e Demoiselle.
A f r ic a is undoubtedly the true habitat o f the members o f this genus, o f which the bird here figured is a
typical example; at the same time, that the range o f this species is exceedingly extensive is proved by the
circumstance o f our having lately seen a specimen killed in Nepal, and we are o f opinion that it is also
sparingly dispersed over other parts o f India. In Africa the Numidian Demoiselle is abundant over the whole
o f its northern portions, particularly in the neighbourhood o f Bildulgerid and Tripoli, while its beautiful ally
the Anthropoides Stanleyanus o f Mr. Vigors is confined to its southern portions. Dr. Latham mentions that
it is very common along the whole o f the African coast o f the Mediterranean; we need not therefore be
surprised at its being included in the Fauna o f Europe, as its great powers o f flight would readily enable it to
cross the Mediterranean; and this we find to be the case, as the same author informs us it is found in the
southern plains about the Black and Caspian Seas, that it is frequently seen beyond Lake Baikal, about the
rivers Selinga and Argun, but that it is never seen further north. M. Temminck also includes it in the Fauna
o f Europe as an occasional visitant to the southern parts o f the Continent. It everywhere evinces a partiality
for marshes and the neighbourhood o f rivers, and feeds upon snails, aquatic insects, small fish, and lizards.
Like the Cranes in general, it bears confinement extremely well, and forms a highly ornamental and docile
creature in the menagerie. It has been known to breed in captivity, but o f its nidification in a state o f nature
nothing is on record.
The sexes are alike in plumage.
Cheeks, throat, front part o f the neck, primaries, and the tips o f the prolonged scapularies black; a tuft o f
feathers proceeding backward from the eye pure white; crown o f the head and all the remainder o f the
plumage delicate ash g re y ; bill black at the base and yellow at the t ip ; legs brownish black.
We have figured an adult male rather more than half the natural size.