370 aEALLATOEES, OE WADING BIEDS. 



complete authenticity. It is certainly true that these birds form 

 groups in various fashigns, advance one towards another, make a 

 kind of salutation, adopt the strangest postures— in a word, indulge 

 in pantomimes both burlesque and amusing. This is, we must con- 

 fess, a curious element in their character, and has been made the 

 most of by the Chinese, who are in the habit of teaching Cranes 

 to dance according to all the rules of art. 



The ancients set a high value on the flesh of the Crane, which 

 is, nevertheless, anything but good. The Greeks especially 

 showed a great fondness for it ; they used to fatten these birds 

 after having put out their eyes or sewed up their eyelids ; this 

 cruelty being necessary, according to their idea, to cause a proper 

 degree of plumpness. 



In the fine old days of hawking, the Crane, as well as the Heron, 

 enjoyed the esteem of princes. Even in the present day, in 

 Japan, it is reserved for the sport of the Taicoun (king), and the 

 common people treat it with all the respect that is consequently 

 its due. 



We should certainly fall short in our traditionary lore if we 

 failed to relate the far-famed story of the Cranes of Ibycus. 

 Ibycus of Rhegium was a lyric poet, who enjoyed some reputa- 

 tion in his day. On one occasion, when he was proceeding to the 

 Olympic Games in order to contend for the poet's prize, he 

 lost his way in a forest, and fell into the hands of two malefactors, 

 who cruelly murdered him. Just as he was dying he cast his eyes 

 towards heaven, and perceiving a flock of Cranes passing over, he 

 cried out, " ye bird-travellers, become the avengers of Ibycus ! " 

 The next day the two robbers were quietly taking a part in the 

 Olympic contests, when the news of the murder, which arrived 

 during the day, excited some sorrowful emotion. All of a sudden a 

 flight of Cranes passed over the arena, uttering loud cries. " Do 

 you see the Cranes of Ibycus ? " said one of the murderers to his 

 comrade in a humorous tone. This remark, being overheard by 

 some persons standing by, and commented upon by a thousand lips, 

 became the ruin of the two scoundrels. At once arrested and 

 pressed with questions, they were compelled to confess their crime, 

 and were immediately put to death. Thus was fulfilled the dying 

 invocation of Ibycus. 



