WINTER IN THE MAESHES. 421 



ceeded in killing were merely chance-shots at bands passing 

 over, when we had happened to be concealed by tall sedges 

 or bulrush ; and even these only by virtue of mould-shot 

 at very great heights. 



During a recent winter, however, we discovered a means 

 of shooting these wary fowl. It is the habit of a crane to 

 assemble at some remote marsh for the purpose of roost- 

 ing. By day, it should be specially remarked, the crane is 

 not a marsh-haunting bird, but is only seen on dry ground, 

 feeding entirely on grain, acorns, and the like ; but in- 

 variably retiring to the marshes, or wettest spot on the 

 prairie, to roost. Towards the sequestered swamp selected 

 for their dorniidero, during the last hour of daylight, files of 

 cranes may be seen winging their stately course. As dark- 

 ness gathers round, the assembling host presents an ani- 

 mated scene, while the music of their magnificent trumpet- 

 note resounds for miles around. 



Such a spectacle we witnessed one March evening when 

 on a bustard-shooting expedition; and returning a week 

 later, had, at length, the wary cranes at our mercy. 

 Ensconced in " blinds " of rudely- woven carices near the 

 centre of a dreary swamp, we soon had these majestic 

 birds filing close overhead, or flapping past at pistol-range. 

 Not less than 500 cranes must have appeared, "■ flighting " 

 from eveiy point of the compass, and the sight, with the 

 sound of their clarion-notes, formed, for half an hour, as 

 irnpressive a spectacle of bird-life as we have witnessed. 



There is intense gratification in out-generalling an}- 

 animal that has long defied one's efforts ; but it is rather 

 a sense of supremacy than mere slaughter that is sought. 

 After shooting seven specimens of the " flighting " 

 GruUas, we were content, and have never since molested 

 them. This marsh, which, being "ten miles from any- 

 where," is an awkward place for evening flight-shooting, 

 continued to be their nightly resort till well on into April, 

 after which date the crane disappears from Southern 

 Spain ; though (as elsewhere recorded) a small and' decreas- 

 ing colony continues to breed in the neighbourhood of the 

 Lagunas de Janda. 



