savannas are large enough to suit its tastes. Thus, as pointed out by Cooke, 

 the two breeding areas of this species are separated by a distance of more than 

 600 miles. As the crane struts majestically about, it keeps a watchful eye for 

 enemies, and when the danger proves threatening, it spreads its broad wings and 

 with measured beats flies slowly away. Its loud buglelike notes, when heard 

 coming from mid-air, as the birds slowly pass out of sight, have a delightful 

 musical quality. The food of this crane consists of a large variety of animal 

 life, among which are grasshoppers and meadow mice, so that a distinct claim 

 of economic usefulness may be made for it. Unfortunately for its safety its 

 meat is by no means unpalatable and in some localities it is much sought after 

 for food. Unquestionably, however, the restriction of its breeding and feeding 

 grounds by settlement has had more to do with the decrease in its numbers than 

 firearms. Probably the fate of such a large bird, requiring so much space and 

 freedom, can not be averted, but it can at least be postponed, and every man 

 who carries a gun should do his part by refraining from making a target of 

 its big body. 



Of the three species of cranes living in the United States the brown crane 

 is the smaller and is confined to the Middle West. 



.Synonyms. — Southern Sandhill Crane ; Brown Crane. 



Description. — Exactly like preceding species, Init larger. Length about 43.00 

 (11.43.); wing 22.00 (558.8); tail 8.00 (20,^v2); bill 5..^0 (139.7); depth at 

 base 1.05 (26.7); tarsus 10.25 (260.4); middle toe and claw 4.00 (101.6). 



Recognition Marks. — Eagle size ; slaty gray or brownish color ; crane pro- 

 portions of bill, neck and tarsus ; considerably larger than the preceding species. 



Nest, a platform of roots, reeds, weed-stalks, etc., raised slightly above 

 water or mud of swamp. Eggs. 2, grayish olive or drab, spotted and blotched 

 distinctly and obscurely with reddish brown. Av. size 4.00x2.45 (101.6x62.2). 



Range. — Southern half of North .America ; rare near the .\tlantic Coast, 

 except in Georgia and Florida. 



In 1895, I first saw the Sandhill Crane in what is known as the New Haven 

 marsh, situated within a few miles of Chicago Junction. This was on the 15th 

 of April, and I was informed by people living in the neighborhood that the 

 Crane usually returned between the 15th of March and the 1st of .\pril. They 

 are, at this time, seen in small flocks varying in nuiui)er from three to nine; 

 however, four of five is the usual number. 



In the following year ('96), in the second week of April, I again observed 

 a pair of these birds, at about the same place. A young man living in the 

 neighborhood collected, in the latter part of May, a .set of the Sandhill Crane's 

 eggs and placed then under a setting hen. In a few days they hatched, but he 

 was only able to raise one of the birds ; this became quite a pet, and when I 

 saw it in the autumn of that year it was very large and seemed to govern every- 

 thing in the hennery. The bird was quite tame and would follow one around 

 if there was any prospect of its receiving food. The following year, 1897. I 

 again visited this marsh, on the 15th of May, intending to find a nest of this 

 bird if possible. I was rewarded by finding two nests within one-fourth of a 



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