on our Cranes.



119



determination she literally shouldered him out, and enjoyed her bath

entirely alone, whilst “ Beder ” walked round the outside, catching

the splashing on his feathers and trying to pretend it was just as

good as being inside.


These two Cranes were very happy together, and the hen

welcomed her companion, for I think that she was more lonely than

we realised during the few months she was without a mate. But

now, unfortunately, she is again a widow. About ten days ago. on

January 11th, we had a very heavy snowtorm, it looked like last¬

ing all day, so my brother went out to drive the Cranes into the

aviary. As a rule they stay out all weathers, but when it is very

severe we put them up. The two Cranes were found in different

parts of the garden, and “Beder” was noticed not to be looking

quite as bright as usual. He did not, however, seem really ill, so

you may imagine what a shock it was to us to find him dead in the

aviary next morning. He seemed to have died very quietly, the

body was quite stiff, and the beautiful pink colour in the cheeks had

faded away. We sent his body up for a post-mortem examination,

but have not yet heard the result. Poor “ Lady ” looks lonely, and

for a day or two seemed shivering and cold, but she still keeps quite

well, and now the snow is nearly gone she can get about better.


Close to us is the Roman Catholic Church, where they have

a single bell, not a very musical one. This bell is rung three times a

day,—in the early morning, at mid-day, and at night. Whenever

the Crowned Cranes heard it they would begin to call; first both

calling together, then one after the other, like a pair of horses

breaking step. Now “ Lady ” does the calling alone. Even in

the dark the Cranes would do it, but they ceased when the bell

ceased. They seldom called at any other time, save when they were

frightened, or separated from each other, or when they came up to

the house to be fed, or to tell us they considered it time for the

aviary door to be opened so that they could go to bed. Fortunately

our neighbours rather like the Cranes’ call when the bell goes. One

lady, who lives close by, but who did not know at the time that we

kept any Cranes, mistook the noise for something wrong with the

bell, and was much amused when I told her the real cause.


It was very pretty to see the Crowned Cranes dance, they



