(_Balearica chrysopelargus_)
The crowned cranes of Africa, of which there are three species,
constituting by themselves an exclusively African genus, are some of
the handsomest members of a beautiful and stately group of birds; the
fan-like array of bristly feathers on the head, which constitutes the
so-called “crown,” conferring on these cranes a regal appearance which
is lacking in their smooth-headed relatives.
Of the three species, one (_Balearica pavonina_) is a native of
north-eastern Africa, ranging southwards into West and Equatorial
Africa; the second, forming the subject of the accompanying Plate and
sometimes known as _B. regulorum_ instead of by the designation here
used, is a southern bird, ranging from the Cape to the Zambesi and
Loanza valleys; while the third (_B. gibbericeps_) hails from East
Africa.
As regards the distinctive features of these three cranes, the northern
species is greenish black above and dark grey below, with most of the
feathers of the sharply pointed lanceolate type; the neck is delicate
pearl-grey; the secondary quills are chestnut, and the wing-coverts
partly white and yellow; the twisted bristly feathers forming the crown
are yellow and white with black tips; a bare area on each side of the
face is white above and pink below; and black down clothes the throat.
This species has a very small wattle on the throat; but in the Kafir
crane this wattle, as shown in the Plate, is much larger and mainly red
in colour. The southern species is further characterised by the greyer
tone of the plumage of the upper-parts, and the white cheek-patch, with
only a margin of crimson above. In the East African _B. gibbericeps_
this cheek-patch becomes much larger than in either of the other two
species, extending backwards nearly to the nape of the neck.
The carriage of these handsome, well-built birds is upright; while
their gait, when they are walking with measured steps, is calm and
stately. These birds can, however, run with great speed, so fast indeed
that a man can keep up with them only with difficulty. The flight is
heavy and slow, with powerful, measured strokes of the wings, and the
neck and legs stretched out. The crest, or crown, is at the same time
depressed. When in flight, a party of cranes always arrange themselves
in wedge-shaped form in order to cleave their passage through the air
with the least possible resistance; a very powerful bird taking up the
position at the apex of the triangle. As in all cranes, the cry is very
loud and resounding; its piercing, trumpet-like notes being due to the
complicated structure of the windpipe, which is arranged in coils, and
consists of more than three hundred bony rings.
[Illustration]
The food of these cranes consists chiefly of various kinds of grain
and other seeds, among which those of durrha or Kafir millet form the
largest portion. The seed-spikes of grass, buds of trees, and fruits,
as well as a certain proportion of insects, are, however, also devoured
by these birds.
Very curious are the attitudes assumed by these handsome birds,
especially when they are surprised or under the influence of
excitement. On such occasions they place themselves in wonderful
postures, bending their bodies up and down, spreading out their wings,
and then joining their fellows in a dance, during which they often
spring a yard high in the air, while all the time their feet are
alternately lifted and put down in regular rhythm.
The daily life of the crowned crane displays great uniformity. At
sunrise the whole flock flies out into the veldt, where its members
search for food at least a couple of hours; then they proceed to the
water to drink, and spend the day in digesting their morning’s meal.
Their favourite resort for the day is a sandbank far out in a river,
where they can stand and preen their feathers or doze without fear of
interruption. At evening the flock returns to its sleeping-quarters in
the forest.
All the graceful habits of these cranes can be studied in Europe,
where the birds flourish in confinement, if given sufficient room.
In captivity they soon learn to associate with the human beings and
animals with whom they are brought into contact, and are specially
keen in discriminating between those who treat them well and those who
dislike their companionship. These cranes are also to be met with in
every Kafir village, while they are likewise frequently tamed by the
European settlers in both South and East Africa.
In Europe the group is represented by the ordinary grey crane (_Grus
cinerea_) and the elegant demoiselle crane (_G. virgo_), both of which
lack the crests of their crowned relatives.
It will be observed that in this notice the name “Kafir” is spelt
with one _f_; this being the proper orthography, as the word is the
Arabic “Kafir,” an unbeliever, this being exemplified in the name
“Kafiristan,” the land of infidels.