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backwards and gaping with her bill. She was fond of the herdsman's lad, who in the evenings 

 would play with her, throwing up his cap into the air and performing a sort of war-dance, which 

 she would imitate, to the great delectation of the spectators. Between her and the gardener 

 there was a standing feud, as she would root up the flower-bulbs, which she pulled in pieces and 

 threw away, but was careful to be out of the way when the gardener came. When any one else 

 was digging in the garden she would watch so closely for the worms and certain roots that one 

 would suppose her head to be in danger of being injured by the spade. She was fond of potatoes, 

 but would sometimes strike a large one and get it fast on her beak, and be unable to get it off. 

 She would then go round to every one for assistance until some one would take it off. Though 

 her wings had been clipped, she could fly a little, and paid visits to the labourers in the fields. 

 Her sense of hearing was very acute ; and she knew perfectly well how to distinguish the house- 

 keeper's voice when he called the chickens or uttered her name, Trana, Trana, when she would 

 hurry up, partly running and partly flying. On the following year, when she could fly well, she 

 always dropped down out of the air when the well-known call was heard, but on reaching the 

 ground could never stand before taking twenty to thirty steps with uplifted wings. She was fond 

 of small fishes, but did not care to take them if offered tail foremost ; but offered head first, so 

 that the fins did not trouble her, a dozen did not seem to come amiss. Curiously enough she 

 was fond of meat, but generally would take a piece to the neighbouring shore and wash it in the 

 water, and then before swallowing it would work it about for some time in the sand. When 

 about three years old, and accustomed to fly miles away, remaining absent all day, she was 

 missing, and probably fell a victim to some gunner, who either made a meal of her or used her 

 long legs for pipe-stems. A tame Crane died at Hofva vicarage, in Westergothland, where it 

 had lived for fifteen years. It was taken quite young, when not fully feathered, and used to be 

 fed in the kitchen, where it became a prime favourite. It was a male, and perhaps therefore 

 took more kindly to ladies' society, never caring to remain where the men were, especially if 

 several were present. It soon became greatly attached to the lady of the house, and whenever 

 she came outside the house would greet her with cries, distinguishing her voice (even her sneeze) 

 when she spoke in the room and it could hear her. It would take good care to help itself 

 when the chickens were fed ; and if they would not give place, it would pick one of them up, 

 carry it to the pond, and give it a good ducking. It had a decided taste for dancing, but would 

 not dance for every one, but when so inclined would cut most ludicrous capers, and imitate 

 figures when encouraged to do so, retiring and advancing in turn. The organs of sight and 

 hearing were especially developed. When the piano was played it would first listen outside and 

 then march solemnly into the room, even if strangers were present, and take up its position 

 beside the piano, where it would remain as long as the music lasted. It knew perfectly well 

 when an adagio was played, and would droop and move its head about, looking quite melancholy, 

 but as soon as a lively polka or quadrille was struck up would rise upright and, moving its head 

 quickly, would give every sign of pleasure. It was fond of a looking-glass, and if allowed to 

 stand before a large mirror would bow and scrape most comically. It often called to wild Cranes ; 

 but having its wings clipped, it could not join them. Once it induced one to come to it, and 

 promenaded about with it in the field all day long, but was forsaken when it wanted to return to 



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