Vocabulary:

Demoiselle Crane [dәmwa:’zel krein] – журавль-красавка

To breed [bri:d] – размножаться

To nest [nest] – нездиться

Flock [flok] – стая

Fatigue [fә`ti:g] – изнурение, усталость

Predator [`pred әtә] – хищник

Wingspan [wıŋspæn] – размах крыльев

Plume [plu:m] – перо

• Decide whether the following sentences True (t) or False (f). Correct the false one:

1. Demoiselle Crane nests in Kazakhstan in winter.

2. They usually migrate in flocks of up 400 individuals.

3. Many of individuals die during their winter fight.

4. The Demoiselle Crane is the largest species of crane.

• Match the word with the definition below:

1. To protect a) to produce; give birth to.

2. To breed b) to keep from being damaged attacked, stolen or injured

3. A nest c) a container or shelter made by a bird to hold its eggs and young birds

4. Predator d) a feather, especially a large one.

5. Plume e) an organism that lives by preying on other organisms.

• Discuss the following questions in pairs:

1. Have you ever heard or seen the Demoiselle Crane?

2. What countries does it migrate to?

3. What parts of Kazakhstan does it prefer nesting in?

4. What does it look like?

5. What else can you say about the Demoiselle Crane?

Great white pelican (розовый пеликан)

The Great White Pelican, also known as the Eastern White Pelican or White Pelican is a bird in the pelican family. It breeds from southeastern Europe through Asia and in Africa in swamps and shallow lakes.

Great White Pelicans are large birds with mass of 10 kg, 160 cm long and with a 280 cm wingspan. It has pure white plumage, a bare pink facial patch around the eye and pinkish legs. Males are larger than females, and have a long beak. Immature birds are grey and have dark flight feathers. In breeding condition the male has pinkish skin on its face and the female has orangery skin.

The Great White Pelican is well adapted for aquatic life. The long-winged pelicans are powerful fliers. The pelican's pouch is simply a scoop, which fills with water and fish. A group of 6 to 8 great white pelicans will gather in the water to feed together. Large numbers of these pelicans breed together in colonies. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs. They make stick nests in trees. The young are cared for by both parents.

Migratory populations are found from Eastern Europe to Kazakhstan during the breeding season. Great white pelicans are exploited for many reasons. Their pouch is used to make tobacco bags. Their skin is turned into leather and the fat of young pelicans is converted into oils for traditional medicine in China and India. Human disturbance, loss of foraging habitat and breeding sites, and pollution are all contributing to the decline of the Great White Pelican.

Vocabulary:

to breed [bri:d] – размножаться

swamp [swomp] – болото

plumage [`plu:midʒ] – оперение

beak [bi:k] – клюв

immature [imә`tʃә] – незрелый, ранний, молодой

aquatic [ә`kwætik] – водяной, водный

pouch [pautʃ] – сумка, мешочек

scoop [sku:p] – совок, ковш

disturbance [di`stә:bәns] – вмешательство

decline [di`klain] – уменьшение

• Answer the questions:

1. What is the Great White Pelican?

2. What does it look like?

3. Who are larger males or females?

4. Where are migratory populations found?

5. What contributes to the decline of the Great White Pelican?

• Complete the sentences:

1. The Great White Pelican is a bird in the pelican …

2. It breeds in swamps and …

3. It has pure white …

4. The young are cared for …

5. Migratory populations are found from Eastern Europe to …

• Match the word-combinations:

1. swamps and shallow lakes a. молодые птенцы

2. pure white plumage b. длиннокрылые пеликаны

3. immature birds c. чисто белое оперение

4. long-winged pelicans d. гнёзда из прутьев

5. stick nests e. потеря среды обитания

6. loss of habitat f. болота и мелкие озера