126 On the trail of vanishing birds 



all around we left them, except for systematic observations, and 

 turned to other matters. 



One important feature of the new enclosure, in our opinion, 

 was the fact that it provided a variety and an abundance of natural 

 foods, as well as plenty of elbowroom. There were blue crabs, mud 

 shrimps, marine worms, and other habitual food items in the 

 ponds and on the shorelines of the brackish sector, and frogs, 

 snakes, insects, and other palatable items in the fresh-water part. 

 In addition, a ration of whole yellow com was provided, certain 

 amounts of it soaked in wheat germ oil. 



In December, the two birds performed a prenuptial dance. 

 In March and April of 1949, they danced frequently. Then, late 

 in April, a marked change in their usual behavior was noted. 

 When the daily ration of corn was given them they usually came 

 striding up to the fence to receive it. When Bud Keefer went to 

 the fence on April 27, only the female (Josephine, which, it will 

 be noted, is also a conveniently bisexual name!) came up for 

 corn. Pete remained hidden in the cattails. On the following day 

 this behavior was reversed, and on the twenty-ninth it was de- 

 finitely observed that Pete was crouching in the cattails while Jo 

 came out for com. 



On April 30, Bud investigated and discovered a nest containing 

 a single egg. A second egg appeared May 1. 



I was at my home in Florida when these exciting events tran- 

 spired, but as soon as I could manage to get away I left for 

 Texas, arriving at Aransas on May 12, which was believed to be 

 the thirteenth day of incubation for the first of the two eggs. The 

 big question was were the eggs fertile? Pete, as we knew, was 

 then at least fourteen years old, and probably older, while Jo was 

 no less than ten. Both had been in solitary captivity for many 

 years. No one knew what to expect. 



I established a hard and fast routine. The boys had erected an 

 observation tower overlooking the nest area, and in this I passed 

 each day, arriving before daylight every morning and staying until 

 after dark. One thing was certain: whether the eggs hatched or 

 not, here was a unique opportunity to watch the nesting behavior 

 of the whooping crane, perhaps the only opportunity anyone would 



