Sand-hill Cranes 
and killed three more rams, and another ewe, for 
me whilst I lay at the door of the tent bemoaning 
my luck. I was interested, though, for I saw a 
curious sight that appealed to me. It was about 
midday on the day succeeding my accident, and 
I had by my side my compass, with which I had 
been locating our position, which was in a sort 
of basin whence radiated four valleys. The air 
was still, and it was a lovely day. Suddenly I 
heard a great “‘ honking,” as from a gaggle of 
geese on passage, but I could in no direction 
locate the sound. After some minutes I saw 
the cause—a great flight of sand-hill cranes were 
migrating. They came down the valley from 
the north, and on arriving at the basin where 
my camp was pitched the noise stopped. One 
bird that led the van spoke as he piloted them round 
the basin at least four times, flying very high, 
and then. with a final croak led off his followers 
by the outlet bearing due south. Several flocks 
appeared at intervals during the two days I was 
laid up. It was perfectly evident to me that on 
arriving at this particular place some old bird 
of the lot, who knew his way about, was showing 
the birds of the year some of his landmarks 
that would enable them to find their way for the 
future. Had such a thing happened once I 
should probably have taken no notice of it, 
but when it was repeated exactly in the same 
manner by some ten, or more, separate parties, 
259 
