Storks ^ Cranes 245 



If it wasn't that I should blush to be seen walking 

 with them in such an unwomanly undress, I should 

 enjoy showing some of them round the park, in the 

 vicinity of my Australian cranes! Perhaps it might 

 induce them to give up making a spectacle of them- 

 selves to the world at large. However, one is thank- 

 ful that our English women have naturally shrunk 

 from such an unwomanly garb .(although they too, in 

 some instances, might be more clothed in the upper 

 portion of their persons), and in the instance I am 

 speaking of there really was no need for the cranes to 

 be so indignant. 



Two English ladies, bicycling in all modesty of 

 dress and demeanour, were learning to find a steady 

 seat on their saddle, when, passing along the road, 

 they met my cranes. 



In a moment those pugilistic birds, with a flank 

 movement, had attacked the first fair rider. The next 

 scene was — bicycle and rider flat on the road, and the 

 cranes dancing with outstretched wings and aggressive 

 bills on the top of them ! But, before any harm was 

 done, they were routed by another lady, who was 

 walking close by, and who bravely charged them and 

 belaboured them with her parasol ! 



After this every one will agree that cranes are most 

 charming pets. 



They invariably give vent to a loud duet of reson- 

 ant trumpeting, especially if any one stops to look at 

 them and then turns to walk away. The hen bird is 

 always the first to throw up her head in the air, with 

 a loud rattling croak, which is immediately caught up 



