G-RUID^ — THE CRANES — GRUS. 411 



contained seeds of an nnknown plant as large as eoft'ee-beans. All contained more 

 or less sand, bits of ciuartz, and small brown pebbles. When dry these materials 

 would weigh two ounces. Excavations, such as Audubon saw these birds making in 

 Kentucky, where they rooted like hogs, have never been noticed in Florida, although 

 the same lily roots are common and abundant. The largest excavations seen were 

 not larger than a coffee-cup. 



Incubation takes place from the last or the middle of February to the middle of 

 May, or later. 



Mr. Moore describes a pecidiar use by this bird of the wing in its flight. There 

 is an upward lift or jerk made suddenly. The wing is now laid on the air gently, and 

 suffered to dip slowly down ; then, having reached the proper pcjint, it is suddenly 

 flirted upwards, and again laid upon the air — just, it would seem, at tliat critical 

 moment when it is necessary to prevent the bird from declining in its chosen line 

 of flight. 



Mr. Eidgway speaks of finding this species very abundant in the marshes of Kuby 

 Valley, where it was seen daily. It was also quite common in the wet meadows of 

 Carson Valley, where a tame Crane, caught when young in the neighboring meadows, 

 was a remarkable and amusing pet. As he was entering the gate, the bird's eye 

 quickly detected a Junco oregonus that had been partially thrust into his coat pocket ; 

 and walking boldly up to him, the Crane snatched it out and deliberately beat it upon 

 the ground until nearly denuded of feathers, when it was swallowed Avith apparent 

 relish. The Crane then again approached, and carefully examined his person for 

 more birds ; but failing to find any, marched away across the yard with a stately step. 

 This pet would frequently Avalk upon the porch, go u}) to the window, and watch 

 with curiosity and apparent interest the sports of the children in the house; and 

 if any of them approached the Avindow it would evince its pleasure by amusing 

 gesticulations. 



Mr. Dresser did not meet with this species near M-atamoras ; but on his journey 

 from Brownville to San Antonio in September, 1863, he saAV birds of this species 

 every day. During the winter they Avere quite common near San Antonio ; but all 

 disappeared toward spring. He Avas told that they breed near Galveston and in 

 Matagordo Bay ; but this statement requires confirmation. 



It is probable that much of the description of habits applied by Audubon to the 

 Whooping Crane is equally referable to the present species. At any rate in one 

 instance it is A'-ery evident that he must have had this bird in view. This was in 

 December, 1833, when his son Avent to Spring Island, on the coast of Georgia, and 

 where the only specimen obtained Avas evidently a G. mexicana. He found the 

 Cranes plentiful, resorting to the SAA^eet-potato fields, digging up their produce as ex- 

 pertly as a troop of negroes Avould have done. The birds Avould Avalk over the little 

 heaps, probing them in various parts in the manner of a Woodcock ; and whenever a 

 potato was found, removing the soil, and taking out and devouring the root. In this 

 manner the flock searched over the Avhole field, gleaning all the potatoes Avhich 

 had escaped the gatherers. 



An egg in my cabinet Q^o. 652) measures — as nearly as can be estimated, the 

 smaller end being wanting — 4.00 inches in length by 2.40 inches in breadth. The 

 ground-color is a deep Avashing of sepia-brown, over which are distributed large 

 blotches, a fcAv rounded in shape, but chiefly longitudinal, of dark sepia. A few of 

 the larger blotches are fainter, and have a slight tinge of purplish. This egg Avas 

 obtained near Lake Koskonong, Wis. Mr. Kumlien received it on the 1st of May ; 

 but it had been taken three Aveeks previously, or about April 10, ISol, and contained 



