82 THECRANEKIND. 



and are finely curled at the ends; the bird has a power of erecting and 

 deprefling them at pleafure. The crane varies in fize, from three feet 

 high, to four and even five feet, from tip of the bill to the toes. The 

 naked part of the \€g is about four inches, the feet are black, ten or 

 eleven inches long; bill four inches, ftraight, pointed, coniprefied on 

 the fides ; blackifh green in colour. 



The crane is a very focial bird, andfeldom feen fingly; they aflfemble 

 in flocks of fifty or fixiyj while part feed, others ftand like centinels ; 

 ever wandering, and greatly fubfilling on corn and vegetable?, but partly 

 alfo on reptiles ; and is known in every country of Europe (except our 

 own), from north to fouth ; and even to Ethiopia. They generally 

 leave Europe about the latter end of autumn, and return in the beginning 

 of fummer; croffing the inland parts of the continent in flocks of fifty 

 or an hundred, flying chiefiy in the night. 



In thefe journeys rhey afcend amazing heights ; their note is the loud- 

 eft among birds, and is often heard in the clouds, when they are unfeen. 

 Light for its fize, and fpreading a large expanfe of wing, it is capable 

 of floating, where the air is lighteft, in trads too fatiguing for other 

 birds. Though unfeen themfelves, they have diftinil vifion of objects 

 below ; they direct their flight by their cries. 



The cold arclic regions (eem to be this bird's favourite abode ; in the 

 fouthern parts they are rather vifitants than inhabitants. 



The peculiar clangorof their voice arifes from the extraordinary length 

 and contortion of the windpipe j from the throat it enters through the 

 flefli into the brcad-bone, which has a great cavity v/ithin to receive it ; 

 there being thrice reflcdlcd, it goes out again at the fame hole, turns 

 down to the lungs, and enters the body a fecond time. 



They rife heavily, are very fliy, and feldom let the fowler approach 

 them. Their depredations are ufually made in the darkeft: nights, when 

 they eater a field of corn, and trample it down. They choofe fome foli- 

 tary marfh, where to range themfelves by day, as if in deliberation; 

 and not having grain, watk the marfhes, for infers and other food. 



In general is a peaceful bird, both at home and abroad j is eafily 

 tamed, and taught poflures and dances. 



The female is diftinguifl>ed from the male, by not being bald behind ; 

 lays two eggs at a time, like thofc of a goofe, but blueifli. The young 

 ones are foon fit to fly, and then their parents forfake them ; previoufly 

 Jeading them to wher» their food is mofl: eafily found. Though unfledged, 



they 



