130 GRUID.E. 



shepherd's dog to the tine, and would not allow a single 

 animal to stray from the rest. When horses were being 

 harnessed for the plough, or put to any carriage, the 

 Crane placed himself before them, and made them stand 

 quiet until the driver was on the box, or had the reins in 

 his hands. It was of no use for the horses to attempt to 

 move on, for the bird punished them sorely with blows from 

 his bill, or, spreading out his wings, stopped the way. 

 The greatest attachment was shewn by this Crane to the 

 cook of the family, who was in the habit of feeding the bird ; 

 and he made it a rule not to go to bed until she took him up 

 under her arm, and conveyed him to his sleeping apartment. 

 When any one insulted this Crane, the bird was unforgiving 

 and revengeful in the extreme. One day, when the bird 

 was in pursuit of some insects in a neighbouring garden, 

 the owner of the garden gave him a blow with a stick, where- 

 upon the bird defended himself most valiantly until a suc- 

 cession of blows obliged him to retire. Soon after the Crane 

 took his station on a bridge that led to the village, and which 

 the person in question had to pass. The Crane maintained the 

 ground, and at last pursued the enemy until he was obliged 

 to take shelter in his house and shut the door. From that 

 time the Crane remained the determined foe of his neigh- 

 bour. The courage of the Crane in question was wonderful, 

 yet on one subject he was always accessible to fear, namely, 

 he could not endure the sight of any black moving object, 

 such as a black dog, cat, or crow, and his greatest enemy 

 was the chimney-sweeper. 



The Crane feeds on vegetable productions of many sorts, 

 and on insects. On its arrival in Europe, in the spring of the 

 year, clover, young blades of grass, the leaves of mallows, 

 chickweed, and nettles are greedily sought for ; also barley, 

 oats, and peas which are fresh sown, particularly the latter, 

 of which he is very fond ; this renders him very hurtful 



