CHASE. G9 



meet him, bowing most profoundly: and this became a 

 frequent amusement to the inhabitants of the village, through 

 which the couple passed on their way home in the afternoon 

 of a summer's day. 



Some time after the Crane became as serviceable as a 

 shepherd's dog to the kine, and would not allow a single 

 animal to stray from the rest. When horses were being 

 harnessed for the plough, or put to any carriage, the Crane 

 placed himself before them, and made them stand quiet until 

 the driver was on the box or had the reins in his hands. It 

 was of no use for the horses to attempt to move on, for the 

 bird punished them sorely with blows from his bill, or spreading 

 out his wings stopped the way. The greatest attachment 

 was shewn by this Crane to the cook of the family, who 

 was in. the habit of feeding the bird; and he made it a rule 

 not to go to bed until she took him up under her arm, and 

 conveyed him to his sleeping apartment. 



When any one insulted this Crane the bird was unforgiving 

 and revengeful in the extreme. One day when the bird was 

 in pursuit of some insects in a neighbouring garden, the 

 owner of the garden gave him a blow with a stick, whereupon 

 the bird defended himself most valiantly until a succession 

 of blows obliged him to retire. Soon after the Crane took 

 his station on a bridge that led to the village, and over which 

 the person in question had to pass. The 'Crane maintained 

 the ground, and at last pursued the enemy until he was 

 obliged to take shelter in his house and shut the door. 

 From that time the Crane remained the determined foe of 

 his neighbour. The courage of the Crane in question was 

 wonderful, yet on one subject he was always accessible to 

 fear, namely, he could not endure the sight of any black 

 moving object, such as a black dog, cat, or crow; and his 

 greatest enemy was the chimney-sweeper.' 



They fly with the head and neck extended, and the legs 

 also projecting behind. Their manner of walking whether 

 fast or slow, with long and regular steps, is elegant and 

 pleasing. When at rest or sleeping they generally stand on 

 one leg, the other being drawn close up, and the head 

 reclined backwards, the bill being thrust among the feathers. 



They feed on food of various kinds, peas, corn, and other 

 grain and plants, worms, reptiles, and shell-fish, snails, slugs, 

 caterpillars, roots, cockchaffers, grasshoppers, flies, and mice. 



'The call-note of the Crane is a very loud, harsh, and 



