Travels Of Marco Polo: Thirty Five:
At Cianganor, a three days distance from Xanadu there is another large palace of the monarch. There are many lakes and rivers in this palace. Moreover there are plains abounding in game birds like cranes, partridges, and other birds. Here, therefore, is delightful hawking, and abundant exercises for his falcons and gyrfalcons. There are five kinds of cranes: first, black like crow, but very large; Second, white with all feathers full of round eyes, like that of peacocks, and they glitter like gold, and so very beautiful, and its head is white, black, and red all round and they are larger than any others. The third species resembles ours. The fourth are small, and have in their ears very magnificent red and black feathers. The fifth are all gray, with handsome red and black heads, and are very large. Near this city is a valley, where small houses are erected for keeping flocks of partridges. A number of men are employed here to take care of these birds, so they are in abundance. And whenever he comes to this place, he finds as many as he desires.
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