THE COMMON CRANE. 141 



GENUS LXIX. GRUS (CRANE). 



SPECIES 132 THE COMMON CRANE. 



Grus cinerea. Bech stein. 



Grue cendre. Temm. 



WE now come to the noblest-looking of the many birds we 

 have described. Although all, from the heron and bittern to 

 the spoonbill, claim attention, either from their connexion 

 with the chase, their curious booming cries, or some remark- 

 able development in their appearance, yet they become de- 

 ficient of interest when the majestic crane is introduced to 

 our notice. 



Of the most commanding stature, the crane stands nearly 

 four feet in height, with that great length of limb and neck 

 which reminds us of the ostrich and cassowary. 



Connected alike with scriptural lore as it has been with 

 the offerings of the poets of Southern Europe, with all a fa- 

 vourite from Homer to the days of Dante and Calderon 

 we see their migrations the same to-day, in their beautiful 

 regularity, as they were in those ages when the Great Giver 

 said : " The crane and the swallow knoweth the appointed 

 time of their coming." 



Extremely fearful and watchful, these migrations are per- 

 formed in large flocks, at an immense altitude in the air, and 

 so cautious are they, that on perceiving their enemy man, even 

 at a great distance, the entire flock utter loudly their strange 

 alarm-cries.* 



A considerable doubt exists respecting the previous occur- 

 rence of this species in our island, as they have been supposed 

 by many to have been plentiful at a remote period, and at 

 last to have disappeared in the same manner that the giant 

 deer and wolf became extinct. 



We have the authority of Giraldus de Barri, who mentions 

 them as plentiful, and that flocks consisting of a hundred 

 birds were a common sight. He again introduces it to our 

 notice when remarking the barbarous ideas and the ignorance 

 of the Irish princes, in expressing their repugnance and dis- 

 gust against cranes' meat when presented before them by the 

 king ! Again, when speaking of the Church of St. Benean, 

 he describes it as situated in the mountains, where cranes, 

 grouse (gruta), and other birds, built their nests in great 

 numbers, on account of the security of the locality. 



* OrnithologieEuropeenne. 



