Species X. ARDEA AMERICANA* 



WHOOPING CRANE. 



[Plate LXIV. Fig. 3.] 



Ard. Zool. No. 339.— Catesb. i., 75. — Lath, hi., p. 42. — La Grue d'Amerique, 

 Briss. v., p. 382.— i^Z. Enl. 889.t 



This is the tallest and most stately species of all the feathered tribes 

 of the United States ; the watchful inhabitant of extensive salt marshes, 

 desolate swamps, and open morasses, in the neighborhood of the sea. Its 

 migrations are regular, and of the most extensive kind, reaching from 

 the shores and inundated tracts of South America to the arctic circle. 

 In these immense periodical journeys they pass at such a prodigious 

 height in the air as to be seldom observed. They have, however, their 

 resting stages on the route to and from their usual breeding places, the 

 regions of the north. A few sometimes make their appearance in the 

 marshes of Cape May, in December, particularly on and near Egg 

 Island, where they are known by the name of Storks. The younger 

 birds are easily distinguished from the rest by the brownness of their 

 plumage. Some linger in these marshes the whole winter, setting out 

 north about the time the ice breaks up. During their stay they wander 

 along the marsh and muddy flats of the seashore in search of marine 

 worms, sailing occasionally from place to place, with a low and heavy 

 flight, a little above the surface ; and have at such times a very formi- 

 dable appearance. At times they utter a loud clear and piercing cry, 

 which may be heard at the distance of two miles. They have also 

 various modulations of this singular note, from the peculiarity of which 

 they derive their name. When Avounded they attack the gunner, or his 

 dog, with great resolution ; and have been known to drive their sharp and 

 formidable bill, at one stroke, through a man's hand. 



During winter they are frequently seen in the low grounds and rice 

 plantations of the Southern States, in search of grain and insects. On 

 the tenth of February I met with several near the Waccamau river, in 

 South Carolina ; I also saw a flock at the ponds near Louisville, Ken- 

 tucky, on the twentieth of March. They are extremely shy and vigi- 



* This bird belongs to the genus Grits of Pullas. 

 t Grus Americana, Ord's ed. vol. viii., p. 20. 



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