280 



GAME BIEDS OF CALIFORNIA 



two species are identical ; and there remain only dimensions to furnish 

 constant characters (see measurements of both). The Sandhill seems 

 to bulk about twice as large as the Little Brown. While the breeding 

 ranges of the two species are distinct, both occur during migrations 

 and probably also in winter on the same ground. The Sandhill Crane, 

 in its general range, formerly existed much more widely than it does 

 today ; in a number of the middle-western states where it was formerly 

 found in numbers it is now extirpated. The Sandhill, with a southern 

 breeding ground, has suffered largely through human occupancy of 

 the country. 



In southeastern Oregon in the middle seventies, Bendire (1878, p. 

 143) found this a connnon summer resident, breeding abundantly on 



Fig. 46. Side of bill and head of Sandhill 

 Crane. One-half natural size. 



Note much larger size as compared with Little 

 Brown Crane (fig. 45). 



X2067J&JWM. 



the lowlands as well as in the highest mountain valleys. Its hoarse cries 

 could be heard almost everywhere in the vicinity of water so long 

 as the locality remained undisturbed. Each pair appeared to own a 

 certain district during the breeding season, and two pairs were never 

 found nesting within half a mile of each other. In 1887, Merrill 

 (1888, p. 144) found this crane breeding in the vicinity of Fort Kla- 

 math, Oregon. 



In California the Sandhill Crane was formerly notably numerous 

 in summer on the elevated meadows lying chiefly northeast of the 

 Sierran crest. Henshaw (18806, p. 323), writing of his explorations 

 in 1877 and 1878 in northern California and adjacent states, con- 

 sidered Sandhill Cranes to have been so often met with as not to 

 require specific mention of locality. "They breed in many of the 

 sub-alpine valleys where are found meadows of sufficient extent." 

 Two partly grown young taken by Henshaw at Camp [Port] Bidwell, 

 Modoc County, July 29, 1878, are contained in the National Museum 

 collection in Washington. C. H. Townsend (1887, p. 197) reports 

 seeing a crane on a mountain meadow east of Mount Lassen in June. 



