492 THE BIRDS OF MANITOBA THOMPSON. 



aud 30 (Dawson). Swamp Island: 1885, first seen, one, on June 10; 

 rare and does not breed here; in fall, last seen September 7; 1886, 

 first seen, two, on May 1 ; bulk arrived May 3 (Plunkett). Korway 

 House (Bell, 1880). Oak Point: 1884, arrived April 19, 1885; first 

 seen, two, on April 35 ; next seen on April 16; is common and breeds 

 here (Small). Portage la Prairie : Tolerably common summer resident; 

 breeds near here ; arrives in April ; first seen in 1884, April 21 (Nash). 

 (Jarberry: Common; in migration, a few breed; also at Fingerboard, 

 Shoal Lake, west, aud Eussell (Thompson). Assiniboine, near the 

 White Sand, aud at the mouth of the Shell, 1881; also, saw young ones 

 iiear Moose Mountain, June, 1880 (Macouu). Two Rivers: 1885, first 

 seen, two, on April 16; next seen, one, on April 19; became common 

 April 23; is pretty common here and breeds (Criddle). Dalton : 1889, 

 first seen, one, on April 12 ; next seen on April 13, when it became 

 common (Youmans). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, on April 19; 

 seen every day afterwards ; is common all summer and breeds here 

 {(Jalcutt). White Sand River in May (Christy). Qu'Appelle : Tran- 

 sient ; passing over, April 28 to May 1 (Guernsey). Trout Lake Station 

 (Murray). 



The first intimation that we usually have of the advent of the crane 

 is the loud trumi^eting or croaking that seems to shake the air for miles. 

 But soon we begin to see the birds themselves, usually in pairs, even at 

 this early season. Their food now is chiefly rosepips, and as they stalk 

 over the bare plains gathering this manna of the feathered race, ample 

 opportunity is offered for observation. At first one sees little to note 

 beyond their excessive wariness, but as the warmer weather quickens 

 their feeling, these majestic stalkers, these stately trumpeters, may 

 often be seen so far forgetting their dignity as to wheel about and dance, 

 flapping their wings and shouting as they " honor their partners," and 

 in various ways contrive to exhibit an extraordinary combination of 

 awkwardness and agility. This dance is no doubt one of the courting 

 maneuvers, for I have observed it only during the pairing season. 



It has been asked if these cranes breed in communities. To this I 

 reply, I never saw anything to lead me to such a conclusion ; all cases 

 of their nesting that have come under my notice were those of isolated 

 pairs. 



The localities they select are generally damp meadows, not necessarily 

 near the sand hills, the chiefly desired surroundings being rank grass 

 wherein to forage, and scrubby or undulating laud for cover. 



When first they enter the wide world the two or three young ones 

 are provided with a coat of reddish yellow down aud an apparently 

 superfluous length of limb. I perceive by reference to authorities, that 

 the cranes are " prsecoces," which being interpreted meaneth " they are 

 clothed and can run and feed themselves as soon as hatched." Not 

 having seen the young cranes at this interesting period, I can not gain- 

 say the above statement; bui know that a 3'oung one taken at the end 



