168 THE CRANE. 



What is the form of this bird ? 



Of all the Crane tribe, this is by far the most come- 

 ly. His body, neck, head, and bill, are in fine propor- 

 tion to each other, and the long, flowing feathers 

 which arise from his back, and hang over the tail, give 

 him an air of elegance that few birds possess. 



What colour is this Crane ? 



The colour of this Crane is chiefly ash white ; the 

 bill is yellow ; above and below the eyes, there are 

 two stripes, of an ash colour, which meet at the root 

 of the bill. The legs, and quill feathers are black. 



Where does this bird live ? 



The Whooping Crane is occasionally seen on the 

 sea shore of the American continent, from Cape Horn 

 to Canada. From these shores it migrates to the 

 north, and spends a part of its time among the regions 

 of perpetual ice and snow. 



Of all the feathered tribes which visit the United 

 States of America, the Whooping Crane is the largest 

 and most stately. These birds are seen on our sea- 

 coasts, and in low, marshy places, chiefly during the 

 winter season. About such places, they may be seen 

 watching with the most unwearied patience in search 

 of small fish, and worms, which are their principal 

 food ; they also occasionally eat mice, moles, and 

 probably frogs. Now and then they rise, and sail 

 with a slow and heavy flight, from one fishing place 

 to another, making, when a person is near them, a 

 very formidable appearance. 



Their migrations are of the most extensive kind, 

 reaching to a distance equal to more than a third of 

 the circumference of the globe, from north to south. 



