THE CRANE KIND, 303 



reaches the air. But the voice of the duck or 

 the goose is nothing to be compared to that of 

 the crane, whose windpipe is not only made in 

 the same manner with theirs, but is above twenty 

 times as long. Nature seems to have bestowed 

 much pains in lengthening out this organ. From 

 the outside it enters through the flesh into the 

 breast-bone, which hath a great cavity within to 

 receive it. There, being thrice reflected, it goes 

 out again at the same hole, and so turns down to 

 the lungs; and thus enters the body a second 

 time. The loud clangorous sound which the 

 bird is thus enabled to produce, is, when near, 

 almost deafening ; however, it is particularly ser- 

 viceable to the animal itself, either during its mi- 

 grations or its stay : by it the flock is encouraged 

 in their journeys ; and if, while they are feeding, 

 which is usually performed in profound silence, 

 they are invaded on any side, the bird that first 

 perceives the danger is sure to sound the alarm, 

 and all are speedily upon the wing. 



As they rise but heavily, they are very shy 

 birds, and seldom let the fowler approach them. 

 Their depredations are usually made in the darkest 

 nights ; at which time they enter a field of corn, 

 and trample it down, as if it had been crossed 

 over by a regiment of soldiers. On other occa- 

 sions they choose some extensive solitary marsh, 

 where they range themselves all day, as if they 

 were in deliberation ; and not having that grain 

 which is most to their appetites, wade the marshes 

 for insects, and other food, which they can pro- 

 cure with less danger. 



47 



