242 BULLETIN 135, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Dakota, but not quite as boundless, for always there were some trees 

 within sight in the distance. Roving bands of wild cattle, which we 

 were told were dangerous, and an occasional mounted cowboy added 

 a western tinge. The rich song of the southern meadowlark sug- 

 gested , but did not equal, that of his gifted western relative, and the 

 loud familiar whistle of a pair of upland plover added to the charm 

 and made us dream of happy days on the northern prairies. Sand- 

 hill cranes flew over us in the "flat woods," making the air ring with 

 their loud trumpetings and we saw several pairs of them walk- 

 ing about with stately tread in the wet meadows or around the saw- 

 grass sloughs on the prairies. The cranes were undoubtedly nesting 

 in or around these wet places but we did not succeed in finding a 

 nest. Such is the congenial home of the sandhill crane in this and 

 many other parts of Florida. 



Spring. — Referring to its arrival in Manitoba, Ernest T. Seton 

 (Thompson, 1890) sa,js: 



The first intimatiou that we usually have of the advent of the crane is the loud 

 trumpeting or croaking that seems to shake the air for miles. But soon we begin 

 to see the birds themselves, usually in pairs, even at this early season. Their 

 food now is chiefly rosepips, and as they stalk over the bare plains gathering this 

 manna of the feathered race, ample opportunity is offered for observation. At 

 first one sees little to note beyond their excessive wariness, but as the warmer 

 weather quickens their feeling, these majestic stalkers, these stately trumpeters, 

 may often be seen so far forgetting their dignity as to wheel about and dance, 

 flapping their wings and shouting as they " honor their partners," and in various 

 ways contrive to exhibit an extraordinary combination of awkwardness and 

 agility. This dance is no doubt one of the courting maneuvers for I have ob- 

 served it only during the pairing season. 



Stephen S. Visher (1910) wi-ites: 



The sandhill crane is one of the most conspicuous birds of the prairie region. 

 Every farmer boy knows its call, and on fair days has seen large flocks soaring 

 at great heights, slowly passing northward. Constantly their unsurpassed calls 

 drift down to earth. When only a slight wind is blowing, these rich, buglelike 

 notes can be heard farther than the bird can be seen. Several times I have 

 examined, for some moments in vain, the horizon before the authors sailed in 

 view. On windy or rainy days, the flocks fly low and swiftly in a direct line, 

 and each individual croaks in turn. Thus slowly the music moves along the 

 undulating, curving line. 



Courtshi'p. — Mr. Visher (1910) also gives ils the best account of 

 the curious courtship dance, as follows : 



The mating habits of this bird are very interesting. In Sanborn County, 

 South Dakota, I have often watched the mating dance; each time with increas- 

 ing interest. In the early spring, just after the break of dawn, the groups that 

 were separated widely, for safety, during the night, begin flying toward the 

 chosen dancing ground. These flocks of six or eight fly low and give constantly 

 their famous, rolling call. The dancing ground that I knew best was situated 

 on a large, low hill in the middle of a pasture of a section in extent. From this 

 hill the surface of the ground for half a mile or more in every direction could be 



