30 'DEMOISELLE GEANE. 



The following account of this bird's breeding in the Dobrudsha is 

 from Mr. A. S. CuUen: — "This bird arrives in the Dobrudsha in 

 about the second week of April. It makes its appearance in flocks 

 of from twenty to thirty and upwards, and the form of these flocks 

 very much resembles those of the Common Crane, and they almost 

 always fly very high, especially when passing wooded country; 

 but when crossing the plains they fly lower, and occasionally come 

 within gunshot. For the first week after their arrival flocks of 

 these birds mingle with those of the Common Crane, and resort to 

 any fields of newly-sown grain that they can find, and to these they 

 often do great damage. Regularly once or twice during the day 

 they repair to some lake or pond of fresh water to drink. In the 

 evening the fields are deserted, all the birds going to the nearest 

 lakes or marshes, where, I believe, they remain all night. About 

 the second week after their arrival the flocks break up into 25aii's, 

 which disperse themselves all over the country. Very soon after 

 the birds have paired, they begin to lay. Eggs may be found 

 from about the third week in April to very nearly the end of 

 May; but much depends on the state of the weather. The nest of 

 the Demoiselle Crane is, without exception, made on the ground, 

 usually amidst some kind of young grain, but often amongst grass 

 on fallow land, and now and then, though more rarely, amongst 

 stubble. The nest — if indeed such it can be called — is made by the 

 birds pulling up or treading down the grain, grass, or stubble for the 

 space of about two feet, and scratching the shallowest possible 

 hollow in the middle of the bare patch thus formed. A few small 

 straws and stones are often found in and about this hollow, but 

 whether they are brought there by the birds, or found there by 

 them, which is very probable, I cannot say with any certainty. 



"I believe, myself, however, that they are placed there by the 

 birds. The eggs, which are never more nor less than two in number, 

 are alioays placed side by side, in the hollow already described, 

 with their small ends pointing in the same direction. The male 

 assists the female in hatching the eggs; indeed, I have every reason 

 to think that he sits as much as the female. To the uninitiated in 

 the habits of this bird, its eggs are very difficult to find. When an 

 intruder approaches the spot where the eggs lie, he at first sees 

 nothing except perhaps a solitary bird standing on one leg as if 

 sleeping. Should he not be a very good observer, as he draws 

 nearer he will probably only notice a pair of birds walking rapidly 

 away, plucking the grass as they go, apparently feeding eagerly, and 

 he will most likely account for the sudden appearance of the second 



