THE CRANES 325 



he once stalked a flock of white crane on the Platte, 

 using a cow as a screen to get within range. 



The sand-hill crane is abundant in the autumn and 

 winter in California, but not nearly so much so as in 

 former years. Many are shot on the prairies and sold 

 in the San Francisco markets. Dr. Maberry says that 

 they are there highly esteemed as an article of food. 



It is well for the sportsman to remember that the 

 crane will show fight when wounded, and is quite a 

 formidable antagonist. There are many instances on 

 record when they have attacked both man and dog, 

 and great care should be exercised in approaching 

 them. The quick thrust from the long, sharp bill may 

 cause an ugly wound or put out an eye. It is well to 

 give a wounded crane the second barrel. 



The white crane is found in Texas and Florida, and 

 is said to be seen occasionally up the coast as far as 

 the Middle States. 



Dr. Coues says : " This tall and stately white bird, of 

 the most imposing appearance of any in this country, I 

 have only seen on the broad prairies or soaring on 

 motionless pinion in spiral curves high overhead. Its 

 immense stature is sometimes singularly exaggerated 

 by that quality of the prairie air which magnifies dis- 

 tant objects on the horizon, transforming sometimes a 

 weed into a man or making a wild turkey excite suspi- 

 cion of a buffalo. The most fabulous accounts of a 

 crane's size might readily arise without intentional de- 

 ception. I have known a person to mistake a sand-hill 

 crane for one of his stray mules and go in search ; and 

 another enthusiastic teamster once declared that some 

 he saw were ' bigger than his mule team.' Once while 



