I04 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



The Crane is long-necked and heron-like in build, but has 

 little else in common with the group. Its general colour is 

 slate-grey, relieved by a white streak on the side of the face 

 and neck, but the most striking character is the large bunch 

 of drooping blue-black plumes — the inner secondaries — which 

 gracefully curves over the wings and tail. It walks sedately, 

 as a rule, and flies with neck extended and legs trailing, but 

 below the line of the body. Migrating flocks keep regular 

 order, flying in V and W formation, or with a line leading from 

 the apex of the chevron, an inverted Y. The loud trumpet 

 blast of the bird is sounded as it flies, and also when on the 

 ground. I have heard this strong note from captive birds, and 

 watched the quaint dance, for the Crane is not always sedate. 

 It will trip lightly with uplifted and slightly fanned wings, leap 

 into the air, and stop, point the bill skyward, and sound its 

 horn. Whether this is purely nuptial display or a normal 

 pastime I cannot say, but Wolley saw a pair dance after the 

 eggs were laid ; I have heard visitors at Regent's Park pity the 

 "poor birds" that were trying to fly. In this dancing habit, 

 as well as in other ways, the Crane shows similarity if not 

 relationship to the rails. The Crane eats anything from grass 

 and grain to insects, small birds, and mammals. 



On the crown of the adult bird is a warty red patch devoid of 

 feathers ; the bill is greenish, the legs dark green, the irides red. 

 Immature birds at first have no red patch, but their heads are 

 rusty, and the slate is mixed with brown. One of the more 

 recent examples — a young female killed in Anglesey in May 

 1908 — had the red on the head well marked, but the feathers of 

 the back margined with rufous. The size given is that of this 

 bird. Length, 44 ins. Wing, 21 ins. Tarsus, 875 ins. 



