DEEK-SHOOTING AND OTHER MATTERS. 105 



The little common wren {Troglodytes vulgaris) is, 

 I think, somewhat smaller in Japan than at home. 

 There is no finer bird in Nipon than the great blue 

 crane. With what majestic strides he walks across the 

 paddy-fields, as if aU he surveyed belonged to him; 

 and his strong harsh croak, which is invariably sounded 

 as one approaches him, always appeared to me most 

 suitable to the wild scenery which generally surrounds 

 the favourite feeding-grounds of the birds. Though 

 sacred in ancient days, I have even then eaten them 

 at the princes' tables, and very good eating they were. 



A beautiful species of kingfisher {Halcyon coro- 

 nianda major), although rare, is to be found on the 

 southern and western parts of Japan. It evidently 

 breeds there, as I have shot both male and female in 

 the heart of summer. It is a lovely bird, almost 



