114 (J. If. Merriam — Birds of ConnecUovi. 



Tlie present distribution of the Sand-hill Crane is interesting from its 

 peculiarity. Common throughout the West, they extend northward 

 even into Alaska, breeding about the Yukon (Dall),* but are not 

 found east of the Mississippi Valley, except in Florida, where I have 

 seen them, both on the Ocklawaha River,f and Hying over the St. 

 Johns. Both Mr. GrinnellJ and myselF§ found them to be abundant 

 in the Yellowstone National Park, though so wary that it was diffi- 

 cult to obtain a shot at them. They were particularly numerous in 

 the Lower Geyser Basin, in August, and used to make such an 

 unnecessary amount of noise, mornings, that sleep, after daylight, was 

 well nigh out of the question. Showing a decided preference for the 

 grassy meadows (called " Parks," in the West) surrounded by heavy 

 forests, and marking, perhaps, the course of some mountain stream, 

 which is content to check its headlong speed while passing through a 

 neighboring valley, the Sand-hill Crane, ever on the alert, keeps well 

 away from the trees, and at the ap[)roach of any suspicious object, at 

 once takes flight, uttei'ing its warning cry for the benefit of those of 

 its kind who happen to be near. The flats which they frequent are 

 often studded with wooded knolls, and the best way to hunt them is 

 to betake one's self, in company with a good rifle, to one of these 

 " Islands" before the fog rises in the morning, and remain concealed 

 and perfectly quiet. When the fog lifts, the stately forms of tlie 

 Cranes may be seen scattered over the meadows, always peering about 

 in search of danger ; but at least one is pretty sure to be witliin rifle 

 range. And at the report the alarm is given and the others lose 

 no time in beating a hasty retreat. Tlieir flight is heavy, and 

 seemingly laborious. To their edil)le qualities I can testifj^ witli a 

 good grace. The flesh is really excellent, deep red in color, and not 

 unlike that of the Beaver. Few birds are more difficult to skin. 



Thomas Pennant, in his Arctic Zoology (1785) says that "they 

 arrive in May about Severn River, Hudson's Bay. Frequent lakes 

 and ponds. Feed on fish and insects. Hatch two young ; and retire 

 southward in aiitumn.|| I must observe, that they formerly made a 

 halt in the Hurons country, at the season in which the Indians set 

 their maize; and again on their return from the North, when the 

 harvest was ready, in order to feed on the grain. The Indians, at 



* Alaska and its Resources. By ■William TI. Dall. Appendix G, p. 58:^. ISTO. 

 f Am. Nat., vol. viii, No. 2, p. 89. Feb., 18'74. 



|:Ludlow's Report for 18*75, p. 87. § Hayden's Report for 1872, p. 702. 



II Ph. Trans., Ixii, 409. 



