THE STILT-WALKERS. 89 



thousand Cranes passed over our heads, all going north as the others. In the beginning of May, 

 several smaller flocks were seen crossing the same desert from Akabah towards Suez." 



THE COMMON CRANE. 



The Common Crane {Grus cinerea) is recognisable by its partially bare head, and the long 

 curly feathers on its upper wing-covers. In this bird the plumage is principally ash-grey, black in the 

 region of the throat and brow, and whitish on the side of the neck ; the quills are black, the eyes 

 brownish red, and the feet blackish ; the beak is reddish at its base, and blackish green at its tip. 

 This species is four feet and a half long, and seven and three-quarters broad ; the wing measures 

 twenty-five and the tail eight inches in length. 



The Common Crane is a native of the northern portions of the Eastern Hemisphere, from Central 

 Siberia to Scandinavia, and from thence wanders south as far as China, India, and Central and 

 Western Africa. The periodical migrations of these birds are remarkable for such punctuality that 

 for a long series of years they have been observed to pass through France in the month of October, 

 invariably returning during the latter half of the month of March. On these occasions they always 

 fly in large flocks, which move with great rapidity ; and alight during the day to rest and seek for food. 

 The Common Crane, although now only an occasional visitor to England, was formerly much more 

 common, and bred in the marshes, which then afforded it food and shelter. Since these have been 

 drained, and the land cultivated, they have almost entirely disappeared. In Charles II. 's time Sir 

 Thomas Browne writes : " Cranes are often seen here in hard weather, especially about the 

 champaign and fieldy part. It seems they have been more plentiful, for in a bill when the Mayor 

 entertained the Duke of Norfolk, I met with Cranes in a dish." 



In an account preserved by Leland, in his " Collectanea Antiqua," of the great feast at the 

 enthronisation of George Nevill, Archbishop of York and Chancellor of England, in the reign of King 

 Edward IV., 204 Cranes form a part of the goodly provision detailed; and in the second course of 

 the dinners, Crane forms the first "rost" dish, followed by " Cony, Heronshaw, and Curlew." 



During their migrations, these birds always fly in two lines, which in front meet in an acute 

 angle, thus forming a figure somewhat resembling the Greek letter y, which, indeed, is said to have 

 derived its shape from this very circumstance. One of the company always flies in advance 

 of the rest, and thus constitutes the vertex of the angle ; and if the movements of the flock are 

 watched, it may readily be observed that when this individual becomes fatigued by being the first 

 to cleave the air, it falls to the rear, and leaves the next in succession to take its post. It has been 

 noticed, moreover, that when the Cranes in their migratory flights meet with a lofty mountain, 

 they utter shrill cries, appear anxious and restless, and fly without any kind of order. Gradually, and 

 each for itself, they now ascend spirally until such time as they have attained sufficient height to pass 

 over the obstacle, when, assuming their original formation, they proceed on their course. At times 

 their flight is so very high that, notwithstanding each individual occupies a considerable space, the 

 birds themselves, though heard in the air, are not perceptible to the naked eye. Their shrill, loud, 

 and trumpet-like note is audible far and near, and if at a short distance is almost deafening. Their 

 voices are rendered more powerful by the peculiar construction of the wind-pipe, which forms several 

 curvatures in the breast-bone, before descending into and joining the lungs. This tall and stately 

 bird, when it stands upright, reaches to the breast of a man. It is of a shy and wary disposition, and 

 when a large flock alights in a field, either for the purpose of feeding or resting, one or more of the 

 party is always seen standing at some little distance, with head erect, and evidently on the watch. On 

 the approach of danger this individual is the first to take wing, on which the rest follow its example. 

 The nest of the Crane is generally placed among the thick reeds or in the luxuriant herbage of their 

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