CRANES ON THE MARCH. 339 



or a sort of wedge with the point in front — the most convenient 

 formation for cleaving the air with the least amount of fatigue. 

 From time immemorial people have been fond of saying that these 

 birds intrust the care of their guidance to a chief, who, after having 

 led the way for a certain time, and becoming wearied^ surrenders his 

 charge to one of his companions and passes to the rear of the band, 

 where, like a new Cincinnatus, he resumes the position of a simple 

 citizen. The fact is, that the leaders of the two files change perhaps 

 ten times in a minute, and the apex of the angle is occupied in suc- 

 cession by every crane in the flock within a very short space of time. 



Cranes almost always travel at night, and halt during day-time to 

 seek their sustenance. Sometimes, however, they push on through 

 space, giving utterance to startling cries, which probably are intended 

 as words of encouragement to those that are wearied from the length 

 of the journey. When they perceive a bird of prey, or have to con- 

 tend with one, they abandon their usual formation, and collect in a 

 circular mass, so as always to present a face to the enemy. 



'Cranes frequent large plains intersected with marshes and water- 

 courses. They feed on fish, reptiles, frogs, molluscs, worms, insects, 

 and even small mammals. Some kinds of grain have also attractions 

 for them, and they may not unfrequently be seen invading the newly- 

 sown fields to devour the seed which the farmer has just committed 

 to the soil. 



When the breeding season arrives, they break up their social 

 compact,, and pair off for the purposes of reproduction and attending 

 to the rearing of their young. 



Their nests are but roughly constructed, and are placed on any 

 little piece of rising ground in the midst of the marshes ; in them 

 they lay usually two eggs, the male sharing with the female the cares 

 of incubation. Although these birds are ordinarily so timid, and 

 are alarmed at the least appearance of danger, yet, when they have 

 their young ones to defend they become really courageous. In this 

 case they do not shrink from attacking man. 



The Crane ought to have been the emblem of vigilance. When 

 the flock go to sleep, with their heads hidden under their wings, one 

 of their number is specially charged with the duty of watching over 

 their common safety and to give alarm on the approach of danger. 



When caught young they are easily tamed, and in a very short 

 time manifest considerable familiarity with their keeper. They are, 

 therefore, a good deal sought after in some countries, both on account 

 of their graceful shape, and also for the sake of the vigilance which 

 they exercise round about their home. 



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