9 o



of one bird which decidedly looked as if a cock bird was playing

up to a hen. They are both, however, so fond of jumping and

dancing absurd quadrilles with each other that it was not easy

to be certain as to these movements.


On one of the last days of April, however, an egg made

its appearance. It was laid on the bare ground without any

pretence at a nest, and in the centre, and most exposed part of

the park. Had it not been that one or other bird stood sentry

over it, the egg might have escaped notice. However, three

days afterwards the second egg made its appearance, and in two

days more, regular incubation commenced. We then put a few

hurdles round the nest to protect it from cows, etc., and this did

not disturb the birds at all. Both parents took their turn at

sitting with great regularity, but the lion’s share was allowed to

fall to the hen, while the cock stood sentry and did his best to

drive off any intruders. Their actions, when any strangers

entered the field, were most interesting. The hen—or which¬

ever bird was sitting—would immediately leave the nest, and,

just calling to the other, would walk quietly and unconcernedly

away as if there was no nest and nothing interesting inside the

hurdles. But if the stranger approached nearer the birds would

return closer, and the hen would flutter away along the ground

as if both wings were broken, crawling slowly in front of him

right to the fence of the field. But if this device failed, the

cock would throw off all disguise, and, if the intruder approached

the nest, would boldly attack him with wings spread and feathers

erect, screaming loudly the while ; he would strike with his bill

at a man ; and a cow or strange dog would be fairly hustled off

the premises in terror.


The eggs were very large considering the size of the

Crane’s body, almost as large as a turkey’s egg, and in colour

very like those of the Green Plover, except that the dark brown

markings at the larger end were not so large or so distinct. They

lay always side by side, the smaller ends both pointing the

same way.


Incubation was steadily carried on for twenty-eight days,

and on May 30th the first young Crane appeared. Its advent

was heralded by the close sitting of the mother, and the positive

fury of the sire if any living thing drew near the nest. The

quitting of the eggs and feigned lameness were abandoned, but

were made up for by the violence of the protecting guard. On

the following day, May 31st, the second egg hatched, this bird

being rather weaker than the first.



