Storks &? Cranes 



246 



by her mate, who, while she continues to croak, utters 

 his trumpet calls, which, when the wind is blowing 

 towards me, I have heard distinctly at a distance of 

 two miles, and this, too, when they have been on the 

 high ground of the Chiltern Hills, and I in the level 

 vale below. These loud notes were always preceded 

 by a low inward growl. 



The male always lowers his wings, shaking them 

 up and down in time with his trumpetings, and both 

 birds stand close together with their beaks pointing 

 upwards. 



When they are separated, especially at night and in 

 foggy weather, they call to each other with one loud 

 monosyllabic croak. 



They are evidently extremely attached to one an- 

 other, and in a wild state pair for life. 



The crane's cry is exceedingly wild, and one can 

 understand how fine it must sound on their native 

 plains and marshes. 



A very splendid member of this magnificent family 

 of birds is the white crane of Asia, with the red skin 

 of the face, black primaries, and pink legs. 



The Mantchurian, or Japanese crane, will breed in 

 captivity, and is a splendid ornament on the margin of 

 a lake. 



But unless you happen to want several begonia 

 plants taken up, don't let cranes into the flower 

 garden. 



If, however, you are short of labourers in the 

 autumn, when your bedding plants have to be taken 

 up for the winter, they might be useful, for they will 



