85 



where a few flocks were seen at San Angelo by Mr. Lloyd, who tells ns 

 that the Nueces canon is the winter home of countless myriads. " From 

 November to the eud of March these beautiful birds are exceedingly 

 abundant on all the low prairies in the vicinity of Houston " (Nekrling). 

 In the spring of 1884 migration began in February, and by March 5 all 

 had left San Angelo. They arrived at Manhattan, Kans., March 18, and 

 the last week in the month they passed through central Iowa. March 

 30 a good many came to Heron Lake, Minn., and May 1 they arrived 

 at Oak Point, Manitoba. 



In the spring of 1885 the Whooping Crane appeared at Emporia, 

 Kans., March 18; Eichmond, Kans., March 21; Mount Oarmel, Mo., 

 March 25; Laporte City, Iowa, March 30; Emmetsbnrgh, Iowa, March 

 23; Heron Lake, Minn., March 31; Menoken, Dak., April 5; Oak Point, 

 Manitoba, April 15. It was common at Bonham, Tex., March 23; at 

 Gainesville, Tex., March 31; Emmelsburgh, Iowa, April 1; Heron Lake, 

 Minn., April 3; Menoken, Dak., April 11; and Oak Point, Manitoba, 

 April 17. It has been known to breed at Clear Lake, Iowa. In the 

 fall of 1885 it returned to Bonham, Tex., November 9, and large flocks 

 were seen November 16. 



205. Grus canadensis (Linn.). [584.] Little Brown Crane. 



Breeds in the far North, from Hudson bay to Alaska, coming south 

 in winter to Mexico, migrating over the Great Plains. Mr. Bidgway 

 informs me that in the National Museum collection there is a specimen 

 from Texas. 



206. Grus mexicana (Mull.). [583.] Sandhill Crane. 



The Sandhill Crane is known to breed in Florida, but was not recorded 

 as a summer resident in Mississippi. West of the Mississippi Biver it 

 breeds in Louisiana and Texas, and thence northward to Manitoba, 

 though it is not known to breed in Indian Territory or Kansas. But at 

 Alda, Nebr., it nested in July, 1881 ; and in 1882 five birds stayed there 

 all winter. It is known to breed in Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota. Mr. 

 Lloyd says that in western Texas it is an abundant spring and fall mi- 

 grant. Mr. Nehrling says he has " observed flocks of many hundreds 

 on the low prairies in the western and northern parts of Harris county," 

 in eastern Texas. 



In winter it is found along the Gulf coast, from Florida to Texas. In 

 warm winters it is found as far north as Waverly, Miss., and in Texas 

 up to San Angelo, where a few flocks were seen. In the spring some 

 pass north to higher latitudes, while others remain to breed. 



Migration commences very early. At Yazoo City, Miss., they were 

 seen flying north January 9 and 11; at Caddo, Ind. Ter., the first came 

 February 2G and more flocks March 3. March 15 they came to Una- 

 dilla, Nebr.; two days later to Linwood, Nebr. ; April 7 to Huron, Dak., 

 and April 12 to Menoken and Larimore, Dak. They reached Two 

 Bivers, Manitoba, April 15, and April 19 they were at Oak Point, 



