WHOOPING CRANE 



THE Whooping Crane is one of the largest of North American birds 

 and the stateliest. It has been sent down the same road as have 

 so many conspicuously fine species, and now seems on the verge of 

 extinction, for it is rare even in its restricted breeding range and unknown 

 on the Atlantic Coast, where it formerly occurred as a transient. It 

 winters from the Gulf States to central Mexico. 



In December, 1811, on the Mississippi, Nuttall witnessed a migra- 

 tion of this species, assembled in a "mighty host. Their flight took 

 place in the night, down the great aerial valley of the river. * * * 

 The clangor of these numerous legions passing along high in the air 

 seemed almost deafening * * * and as the vocal call continued 

 nearly throughout the whole night without intermission, some idea 

 may be formed of the immensity of the numbers now assembled on 

 their annual journey to the regions of the South." 



The important differences between Cranes and Herons are noted 

 in the description of the Sandhill Crane group on the opposite side of 

 this gallery. Like other cranes, the Whooping has an elaborate court- 

 ship dance, nests on the ground in open country, is nearly omnivorous, 

 and possesses a far-reaching, clarion voice. 



The scene here shown is an autumn one on Heron Lake, Minnesota, 

 where thousands of Canvasbacks, Gulls and other waterfowl still con- 

 gregate, and a very few Whooping Cranes may perhaps yet be seen 

 on migration. The brown and white bird is a young one. One of the 

 adults is trumpeting to the flock passing overhead. 



51 



