THE COMMON CUANE. 409 



pinion of eucli wing springs an elegant tuft of loose feathers, curled at the ends, which 

 can be erected at will, but which, when quiescent, hangs over and covers the tail. The 

 legs are black. 



This species is found in numerous flocks, in the northern parts of Europe. It is stated 

 by Mr. Xilsson, that the crane is seen in Sweden in spring and autumn, and that it goes 

 to the marshes of Scania to breed. Linnaeus describes their appearance in Ijapland, and 

 Pennant says they also visit Russia and Siberia. 



The nest of the crane is made among long herbage, reeds, and the luxuriant vegetation 

 of swampy tracts, and sometimes on insulated ruins. Two eggs are laid, of a pale dull- 

 greenish colour, blotched with brown. The food of this bird consists not only of grain 

 and vegetables, but worms, frogs, and snails. Cranes are said to make great ^havoc in 

 the corn when it is wroen. 



o 



" Part loosely wing the region ; part, more wise, 

 In common, ranged in figure, wedge their way, 

 Intelligent of seasons ; and set forth 

 Their aiiy caravan ; high over .seas 

 Flying, and ovei- lands with mutual wing 

 Easing their flight : so steers the prudent crane 

 Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; the aii- 

 Floats as they pags, fanned with unnumbered plumes." * 



" Flocks of these birds are seen, at stated times," according to Mr. Gould, " in France 

 and Germany, passing northwards and southwards, as the season may be, in marshalled 

 order, high in the air, their sonorous voices distinctly heard even from their elevated 

 course. Occasionally they descend, attracted by newly-sown fields, or the prospect of 

 finding food in marshes, on the borders of rivers, or even the shores of the sea ; but 

 generally they continue their flight unchecked towards their destined resting-places." 



The description thus given, is correct ; for the cranes, which fly very high, arrange 

 themselves in the form of a triangle, the better to cleave the air. When the wind 

 threatens and breaks their ranks, they collect their forces into a circle. Their migratory 

 voyages are chiefly performed in the night ; but their loud screams indicate their course. 

 ' t is said that during these nocturnal expeditions, the leader frequently calls, in order to 

 rally his forces and point out the track ; while the crj- is repeated by them, each one 

 answering, thus showing that it follows and keeps its rank. 



Kolben states, that these birds are often observed in large flocks on the marshes about 

 the Cape of Good Hope. He never saw a flock of them on the ground, that had not 

 some birds placed, apparently as sentinels, to keep a look-out while the others were 

 feeding. These sentinels stand on one leg, and at intervals stretch out their necks, as if 

 to observe that all is safe. On anj- notice of danger, the whole flock are instantly on the 

 wing. It requires, however, some credulity to admit Kolben's assertion, that- in the 

 night-time each of the watching cranes, which rest on their left legs, hold in the rio-ht 

 claw a stone of considerable weight ; in order that, if overcome by sleep, the falling of 

 the stone may awaken them ! 



The bill is of the length of the head, or rather longer, strong, straight, compressed, 

 the point in the form of an elongated cone, obtuse towards the end, the lateral base of the 

 mandible deeply channelled ; the base of the bill is elevated. The nostrils are in the 

 middle of the bill, pierced through and through in the groove, and closed backwards by 

 the membrane. The region of the eyes and the base of the bill are often naked, or 

 covered with warty excrescences. The feet are long and strong ; there is a large naked 



* Milton. 



