CRANK-BIRD. 107 



bastard wing- the same ; from the pinion of each wing, nearest the body, 

 springs a large tuft of unwebbed feathers, curled at the ends, which can 

 be erected at will, but most frequently hang over and cover the tail. 



There seems no doubt that this bird was by no means uncommon 

 formerly in our fens ; but only one or two instances are recorded by our 

 later writers of its having been killed in this kingdom. 



It is common in many parts of the European continent and Asia, 

 migrating with the season. It breeds in the more northern parts. It 

 is said to fly remarkably high in its passage, even out of sight ; but that 

 their passing is known by the noise they make, which is louder than 

 any other bird : this is attributed to the formation of the windpipe, 

 which is of a very singular structure : it enters the keel of the sternum, 

 or breast bone, which is formed with a large cavity to receive it ; from 

 thence it returns, after being twice reflected. 



This bird is said to make its nest in the marshes, and to lay two 

 bluish eggs. * A few years ago a small flock appeared, during harvest time, 

 at Dingwall, in Zetland, one of which was shot : they were observed 

 to feed on corn, a very unusual food for such birds. 



" Merret, in his Pinax," says Fleming, " notices this species among 

 his English animals, without a remark. Willughby (Orn. 200) states 

 that they frequently visit this country, and that numerous flocks, during 

 summer, haunt the fens of Lincoln and Cambridge, but he had not 

 evidence of their breeding there. Ray, however, when referring to 

 the same bird, states their visits as occurring in the winter season (Syn. 

 Av. 95.) As this bird breeds in more northern regions, its visits here 

 must either be in the course of its polar or equatorial migrations, e. 

 in spring and autumn, or during winter. Lesley (De Origine Moribus 

 et Rebus Gestis Scotorum, p. 25) speaks of Cranes as common ( Grues 

 plurimi) in Scotland ; and Sibbald (Scot. 111.) adds, that they sometimes 

 visit Orkney. In more modern times, the visits of this species have 

 been rare indeed. Pennant mentions a single instance of an individual 

 shot near Cambridge (Brit. Zool. ii. 629.)" * 



CRANK BIRD (Picus minor, Linnaeus.) 



*Picus minor, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 176. 19. — Faun. Suec. No. 102. — Gmel. Syst. 1. 

 p. 493. sp. 19. — Lath. Ind. Orn. 1. p. 229. sp. 15. — Picus varius minor, Briss. 

 4. p. 41. 15. — Picus varius tertius, Raii, Syn. p. 43. 6. — Will. -p. 94. t. 21. — 

 Le Petit Epeiche, Buff. Ois. 7. p. 62.— Ib. pi. Enl. 598. f. 1. and 2.— Pic 

 Epeichette, Temm. Man. d'Orn. 1. p. 399. — Grass-pecht, Bechst. Naturg. Deut. 

 2. p. 1039.— Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. 1. p. 124.— Frisch, Vdg. t. 37. male and 

 female — Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Br. Zool. 1. No, 87. t. 37. — Arct. Zool. 

 2. p. 278. E. — Lewin's Br. Birds, t. 49.— Lath. Syn. 2. p. 566. 14.— Ib. Supp. 

 p. 107.— Mont. Orn. Diet.— Ib. Supp.— Wale. Syn. 1. t. 50.— Pult. Cat. 

 Dorset, p. 6.— Bewick's Br. Birds, 1. p. 120.— Don. Br. Birds, 2. t. 36— Shaw's 

 Zool. 9. p. 166. t. 34. bad figure of male. — Middle-spotted Woodpecker, Penn. 

 Lath. Mont.Selby, pi. 38. fig. 3. p. 107. 



