monkey pew

Failing to catch the fish in his beak, Erlang saw a snake jump out of the water and realized it was the Great Sage. He changed himself at once into a red−crested grey crane, and stretched out his long beak that was like a pair of pointed pincers to eat up the water−snake. The snake gave a jump and became a bustard standing stiffly on a smartweed−covered bank. When Erlang saw that he had turned himself into so low a creature−−for the bustard is the lowest and lewdest of birds, not caring whether it mates with phoenix, eagle or crow−−he kept his distance, reverted to his own body, went away to fetch and load his pellet bow, and knocked him flying with a single shot.

Journey to the West, Collinson Fair translation