188 THE WHOOPING CRANE. 



anteriorly covered with broad decurved scutella; toes stout, scutellate, of 

 moderate length, marginate, the first very small and elevated, the fourth 

 webbed at the base. Claws of moderate size, strong, considerably curved, 

 rather compressed, blunted. Plumage imbricated; upper part of head bare. 

 Wings ample, the second, third, and fourth longest, inner secondaries and 

 their coverts curved downwards. Tail short, rounded, of twelve broad, 

 rounded feathers. 



THE WHOOPING CRANE. 



-f Grus Americana, Forster. 



PLATE CCCXIIL— Adult Male— PLATE CCCXIV.— Young. 



The variegated foliage of the woods indicates that the latter days of Octo- 

 ber have arrived; gloomy clouds spread over the heavens; the fierce blasts 

 of the north, as if glad to escape from the dreary regions of their nativity, 

 sport in dreadful revelry among the forests and glades. Showers of sleet 

 and snow descend at intervals, and the careful husbandman gathers his flocks, 

 to drive them to a place of shelter. The traveller gladly accepts the wel- 

 come of the forester, and as he seats himself by the blazing fire, looks with 

 pleasure on the spinning-wheels of the industrious inmates. The lumberer 

 prepares to set out on his long voyage, the trapper seeks the retreats of the 

 industrious beaver, and the red Indian is making arrangements for his winter 

 hunts. The Ducks and Geese have already reached the waters of the western 

 ponds; here a Swan or two is seen following in their train, and as the ob- 

 server of nature stands watching the appearances and events of this season of 

 change, he hears from on high the notes of the swiftly travelling but unseen 

 Whooping Crane. Suddenly the turbid atmosphere clears, and now he can 

 perceive the passing birds. Gradually they descend, dress their extended 

 lines, and prepare to alight on the earth. With necks outstretched, and long 

 bony legs extended behind, they proceed, supported by wings white as the 

 snow but tipped with jet, until arriving over the great savannah they wheel 

 their circling flight, and slowly approach the ground, on which with half- 



