OR US CANADEIVS1S. 423 



small, circular, cypress swamp which is always surrounded by a more luxuriant growth of 

 grass than is found elsewhere. I was nearing one.of these places, when I was startled by 

 hearing loud, prolonged, gobbling cries, mingled with cacklings, just as though a number 

 of Turkeys and Geese had met and were holding a most vociferous consultation. At first, 

 I could not make out the exact point from which all this clatter proceeded, as the. woods 

 were completely filled with the din which echoed and re-echoed through the surrounding 

 arches formed by the trees. But a nearer inspection discovered a single bird of a large 

 size, stalking oil' slowly, and then to my amazement, [ perceived that he alone was the au- 

 thor of all the noise, and that I, by invading what he had considered his especial posses- 

 sions, was the innocent cause of all this uproar. I recognized the bird as the Sandhill 

 Crane, at once, but upon trying to make a nearer acquaintance, off he went, still keeping 

 up his continuous din. This clamorousness is one of the chief characteristics of these birds 

 when disturbed, and during early mornings they will also gobble, evidently for their own 

 gratification, while they will do the same thing when sailing high in air in wide circles, 

 with out-stretched legs and neck, and motionless wings, a habit to which they are addicted 

 at times. 



The Sandhill Cranes gather in large flocks on the unfrequented prairies of Central Flor- 

 ida, but no matter how remote the locality from settlements, the birds are always very 

 wild, but upon one occasion, I succeeded in creeping within a hundred yards of some fifty 

 or more, rifle in hand. The birds were walking about, and I waited until I had a favora- 

 ble opportunity, when I fired, severely wounding one. The rest rose with loud cries and 

 were flying away, when, to my surprise, a large Crane, evidently perceiving me, turned 

 and- came with headlong speed, directly toward me, gobbling continuously. I waited 

 quietly until he was within ten feet of my head, when thinking he meant mischief, I took a 

 snap .shot at him with my rifle, but in the excitement of the moment, missed his body, the 

 ball merely passing through his feathers. This salute fortunately turned him and he fol- 

 lowed his retreating companions. I then started after the wounded bird which was using 

 his legs to good effect, and although the bird was a swift runner, I was succeeding in out- 

 stripping him, when he gave me the second surprise that I had received that day, by turn- 

 ing in his tracks and meeting me half way. The Crane came boldly up and made a lunge 

 at. me with his powerful bill, but here the contest proved too unequal for him, for reaching 

 out suddenly, I caught him by the neck, when I soon terminated the conflict. 



Sandhill Cranes breed in March in Florida, placing their nests in the shallow water 

 of one of the marshes which occasionally occur m the piney woods. The birds heap up a 

 mass of mud, roots, grass, weeds, etc., forming a conical pile which is elevated about six 

 inches above the water, and which is some eighteen inches in diameter on the top. This 

 is slightly hollowed and the two eggs are deposited on it, while the female sits on them in 

 the ordinary manner by doubling her long logs beneath her. She is quite conspicuous when 

 on this mound, but when she perceives an intruder, she quietly slips off and skulks away 

 through the grass, taking care not to rise until she has gone sonic distance, when she flies 

 silently away. The dancing of this species has frequently been described by writers, and I 

 have, not only seen wild birds jumping np live or six feet in air, with partly extended wings, 



