Cranes
Cranes are mostly migratory birds. The Grey Crane passes through Egypt and occasionally also winters in the Delta. The smaller Demoiselle Crane migrates from southern Africa to the regions of the the Black and Caspian Seas.Crane being force-fed
During the Old Kingdom cranes, like a number of other animals and birds, were force-fed and sacrificed to the gods.
Flock of herded Demoiselle cranes
Tomb of Ty, Saqqara
M. A. Murray, Saqqara Mastabas, Egyptian Research Account XI, Plate IV
Crested craneIvory bed inlay from Kerma, 12th dynasty
W. S. Smith, Country Life in Ancient Egypt, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, plate 26
Update: August 2006
