they continue to use them even through the summer, whereby

they undoubtedly diminish the strength of the natural circulation

and render themselves more and more subjedl to cold feet.

But the Cranes wade boldly into the icy water.


The Mantchurians are splendid fellows, well-known as

depicted upon Japanese and Chinese screens. At a distance

they have the appearance of giant white Storks, although their

legs and bills are dark lead colour ; for they too are snowy white

with elongated black plumes on the wings, covering their white

tails ; and all this bold simplicity of colouring is set off by a

touch of scarlet skin on the crown of the head. Very tall and

very stately are these Mantchurian Cranes, with loud trumpeting

voices.


When the water of the lake is lowered, which it sometimes

is and easily can be, they’ - look extremely picturesque as they

wade about on the watch for the small fish which can be snapped

up in the shallows.


And, at peace with them, there wanders a pair of snow-

white Siberian Cranes, with Flamingo-like pink legs, and bills of

the same tint. The fore-part of their faces has bare scarlet

skin, cut sharply down by the eyes, which are fierce looking and

bright yellow. It is only when they spread their wings, that one

discovers they are not entirely snow white, for the primaries are

black, which doesn’t show when the wings are folded. Their

voices are weaker, considerably weaker, than the Mantchurians’

and Australians’; a musical, tremulous, whistling cry.


If it is necessary to catch them, one must charge boldly

into the spot in which you have cornered them, for, with their

.amber-coloured eyes glaring at you close down on either side

of the base of the bill, they show that they intend fighting, and

will strike out like an Italian with his stiletto in double quick

time, and at your face too !


It is a curious sight to see the Siberians swimming, for

they do so every evening in order to roost on the island of the

lake. Once upon a time their ancestors must have swum

altogether, and had shorter legs, for the White Cranes turn

themselves into what looks uncommonly like Pelicans, their

heads low down in the water, and their long legs high up behind,

so that they can better use their feet, duck fashion, for paddling.

They don’t give me the idea of being Cranes at all, until they

reach the farther shore, when down go their legs, up go their

heads and bodies, and the Pelican is suddenly transformed into

a tall and stately Crane once more.



