WHITE CRANE.

nN
Grus leucogeranus, Temm.

La Grue leucogerane.

Tuts splendid species of Crane having been lately added to the European Fauna, we have deemed it necessary
to include it in the present work, and have accordingly figured it from a beautiful specimen of the male pre-
sented to us by M. Temminck, who in a letter accompanying it states that it is one of our most recent
accessions, and is consequently one of the rarest among the European birds. Its native habitat is doubtless the
northern and central portions of Asia, whence its range is extended even to Japan, where it is common. The
only European localities in which it has as yet been-observed are the most easterly portions of the Continent.

In size this species exceeds the Common Crane, and independently of its snow-white colouring, it also
differs from that species in its much longer bill.

Snails, frogs, the fry and ova of fishes, small crustacea and bulbous roots are said to constitute its food.

The whole of the plumage, with the exception of the primaries, which are brown, is of a pure white; bare
part of the head red; bill greenish horn-colour ; legs and feet black.

The figure is about one third of the natural size.

 

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