CBANE. 131 



to the farmers : and when the peas are in pod the Cranes 

 bring their young broods to pea-fields as well for safety as 

 for feeding on them. In the autumn, when insects become 

 scarce, and most corn and seeds are housed, the roots of 

 water-plants form a substitute. The animal matter consumed 

 by the Crane consists in worms, amphibious creatures, and 

 the smaller reptiles, beetles, and cockchafers, grasshoppers, 

 flies, &c. ; also cabbage maggots and their larvse, cater- 

 pillars, snails, and slugs. The bird requires much water, and 

 drinks very frequently. When in confinement the Crane is 

 very easily fed with grain ; at times some boiled potatoes 

 and other vegetables or meat ; and, for want of something 

 better, this bird will perform the duty of the cat, by catching 

 and devouring mice. 



Although the Crane is a rare visitant in Great Britain, it 

 breeds not only frequently in the northern parts of the 

 Continent, but may constantly be seen to do so in Mecklen- 

 burg, Pommerania, Silesia, the neighbourhood of Witten- 

 berg, the banks of the Oder in Prussia, and many other 

 parts. In swamps where the alder and willow grows stunted, 

 and where the ground is not frequented by men, owing to the 

 unsafe footing, the Crane revisits its old haunt annually 

 with its mate, unless a dry summer is expected ; then they do 

 not make their appearance, as instinct seems to warn the 

 birds that they are not safe from the intrusion of man. 



Cranes, when intending to build, arrive about the end 

 of March or the beginning of April at their stations ; but 

 the nest is not thought of before herbage and foliage are 

 thickening, and it is then usually placed on an old stump, or 

 elevated dry spot, as far from the edge of the water as 

 convenient, and is composed of dry rushes, flags, and reeds, 

 very inartificially put together, and two feet or more in 

 width. The eggs are never more than two in number, and 

 are incubated by both parents. The young are at first 



