GRUID,1>\ 



507 



THE CRANE. 



Gri's communis, Bechstein. 



There is evidence that until the year 1590 the Crane used to 

 breed in the fens and swamps of the Eastern counties; while its 

 visits in winter continued with regularicy to a later period, though 

 they gradually diminished. In the present century it can only 

 be considered as of irregular occurrence in England, and as 

 still less frequent on the mainland of Scotland ; but a tolerable 

 nunyber have been noticed in the Orkneys, and even more in the 

 Shetlands. In Ireland few have been obtained ; the latest being an 

 immature male shot in co. Mayo early in January 1884. In esti- 



