CHAPTER XIII 



IN QUEST OF A NIGHT-ROOST 



SOMEWHERE out to the westward a 

 whooping crane lifted up his mighty voice 

 in a shout that rolled far across the prairie ; 

 and presently three of these great birds appeared 

 above the horizon. They came from the direc- 

 tion of the lake and were on their way to supper 

 on the broad wheat-fields that on every hand 

 stretched away for miles. Presently as they 

 went by at closer range close enough for the 

 swish of each huge wing to be plainly heard, yet 

 still far out of gun-shot they proved to be a 

 family party. This was evident from the fact 

 that the smallest bird of the three had, instead 

 of the immaculately white plumage of the other 

 two, a considerable sprinkling of yellow feathers 

 in his coat, which garb proclaimed him a juve- 

 nile. With necks far out-thrust straight ahead, 

 black, slender legs trailing in the rear, and black- 

 tipped, giant pinions whiffling in unison, they 



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