THE CRANE. 169 



In the spring, or latter part of the winter, they set out 

 on their vast periodical journies, which end in the 

 frozen regions of Greenland and Iceland ; and in the 

 autumn they return to the warmer climates of the 

 south. During these journies they fly at such an im-' 

 mense height in the air, as seldom to be seen, but 

 their voices are so loud, as often to be heard, when 

 the eye cannot discover them. 



When started, and obliged to take wing, they make 

 a sharp, piercing cry, which may be heard two or 

 three miles, after which, the tone is changed into a 

 kind of whooping sound, from which the name 

 Whooping Crane is derived. 



When wounded, they do not try to escape the gun- 

 ner, or his dog, but when approached, boldly attack 

 both, with great resolution and strength ; nor is such 

 a contest always safe for the man. The sharpness of 

 their bills, and the great force with which their long 

 necks enable them to strike, sometimes produce dread- 

 ful consequences. 



A young man having wounded one of these birds, 

 rashly went too near, when the formidable creature 

 commenced the attack, by aiming a blow with its bill, 

 directly at his eye. In the struggle to get away from 

 such an enemy, the eye-ball was torn nearly from the 

 socket, and it is hardly necessary to say, that the sight 

 was entirely lost. In another instance, one of these 

 birds struck a man with such force, as to drive its bill 

 entirely through his hand. 



There is a belief, that the manner in which a flock 

 of Cranes fly, foretells a change of weather. If, in 

 the morning, or evening, they rise upwards, and fly 



