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CHAPTER Ii. 
THE COMMON CRANE (Gris comsiuiis). 
A conspicuous feature in the marshes—Flighting at sunset—Lack of caution 
after dark—Musical call—Vast migration in spring and autumn—Crane for- 
mations—Exact compass-course of migration—Decreasing numbers of nesting 
birds in Andalucia—In quest of the Crane’s nest—Unwelcome intruders— 
Unseasonable destruction of birds—A second day’s observations—I ndecisive 
results—A third day—Protest by other bird-residents—The Cranes appear— 
Difficulties of ‘“‘ marking” in great reed-beds—Advance towards the birds— 
Cranes simulate disablement—Cranes’ nests and Cranes’ paths—Am baffled 
—The fourth day—Value of a cross-bearing—Find the nest with eggs— 
Photographing under difficulties — Retriever and Crane’s nest— Young 
Cranes. 
O both the naturalist and the sportsman 
in the low-lying parts of southern 
Spain the most conspicuous of birds 
is the Common Crane and his note 
is the most familiar. | Wherever 
large marshes are to be met with 
they are to be seen either in pairs 
or in small parties, walking through 
the reeds and rushes with the digni- 
fied slow step so characteristic of the 
family, ever and anon pausing to 
investigate some matter of interest 
in the shape of a luckless water 
insect or perchance a frog or other 
small reptile which may come 
within their purview. At other times they may be seen feeding 
