THE CRANE IN ANCIENT TIMES. 34 1 



It is certainly true that these birds form groups in various fashions, 

 advance one towards another, make a kind of salutation, adopt the 

 strangest postures — in a word, indulge in pantomimes both burlesque 

 and amusing. This is, we must confess, a curious element in their 

 character, and has been made the most of by the Chinese, who are 

 in the habit of teaching Cranes to dance according to all the rules of 

 etiquette. 



The ancients set a high value on the flesh of the Crane, which is, 

 nevertheless, anything but good. The Greeks especially exhibited a 

 great fondness for it ; they used to fatten these birds after having put 

 out their eyes or sewed up their eyelids ; this cruelty being necessary, 

 according to their idea, to cause a proper degree of plumpness. 



In the fine old days of hawking, the Crane, as well as the Heron, 

 was honoured with the attention of the magnates of the land. In 

 Japan, at the present day, it is reserved for the sport of the Taicoun 

 (king), and the common people treat it with the courtesy due to such 

 an honour. 



We should certainly fall short in our traditionary lore if we failed 

 to relate the far-famed story of the cranes of Ibycus. Ibycus of 

 Rhegium was a lyric poet, who enjoyed some reputation in his day. 

 On one occasion, when he was proceeding to the Olympic Games in 

 order to contend for the poet's prize, he lost his way in a forest, and 

 fell into the hands of two malefactors, who cruelly murdered him. 

 Just as he was dying he cast his eyes towards heaven, and perceiving 

 a flock of cranes passing over, he cried out, " O, ye bird-travellers, 

 become the avengers of Ibycus ! " The next day the two robbers 

 were quietly taking a part in the Olympic contests, when the news of 

 the murder, which arrived during the day, excited some sorrowful 

 emotion. All of a sudden a flight of cranes passed over the arena, 

 uttering loud cries. "Do you see the cranes of Ibycus?" said one 

 of the murderers to his comrade in a humorous tone. This remark, 

 being overheard by some persons standing by, and commented 

 upon by a thousand lips, became the ruin of the two scoundrels. At 

 once arrested and pressed with questions, they were compelled to 

 confess their crime, and were immediately put to death. Thus was 

 fulfilled the dying invocation of Ibycus. 



The Demoiselle Crane {Scope virgo, Fig. 134) is remarkable for 

 two beautiful clusters of white feathers, which are suspended behind 

 its head, and for a black pendent tuft. Its size is about the same as 

 that of the species just described, and its shape is still more elegant. 

 It also is gifted with great powers of mimicry. Its movements have 

 an air of affectation and mannerism, as if it desired to attract the 



