PET CRANES. 189 



they permitted themselves to be caught, although they 

 were in the hahit of flying miles from home to feed on 

 the velt. Although constantly in the society of wild 

 ones, they never manifested the slightest intention of a 

 desire permanently to join them. At night they used to 

 roost on the chimneys, and if a change of weather were 

 about to take place, inform the inhabitants of the vil- 

 lage of the circumstance by loud and discordant screams. 

 In all disputes among the poultry, whether turkeys, 

 geese, or fowls, they constituted themselves arbiters, 

 and woe betide the bird that did not listen to their 

 decision. I am of the impression .that they were not 

 always just, for if an unfortunate goose happened to 

 be the offender, it would be pursued for a hundred 

 yards, and well pecked during its flight. If ordinary 

 domestic fowls had high words which led to a battle, 

 a mahem would simply walk between them, give first 

 one and then another a stroke with its wing, and 

 erecting itself look down on both belligerents with 

 so extremely comical an expression of countenance, 

 that the observer might well imagine it saying, or 

 at least thinking, " What a pair of fools you are ! " 

 These birds were immensely popular with all the 

 children ; they were never rough or attempted to peck 

 them. Still I believe that they were not without 

 weaknesses, one of which was cupboard love, for the 

 youngster that had a piece of bread and butter in- 

 variably received more attention than those who had 

 none. For hours I have watched these birds, and they 

 never failed to afford me amusement, if not instruction. 

 However, it is half-past three, and time to renew 

 my journey, or else Marico will take me longer to reach 

 than anticipated. My team may not be all that I 



