MIGRATIONS OF THE CRANE. 
327 
ABOUT THE CRANE. 
Passing over tlie Egyptian goose, which presents no characters of 
special interest, but is found throughout the green Nile valley, from 
Philse's temple-crowned island to Karnak, the last Egyptian bird to 
which we shall allude is the graceful crane. We have called him 
Egyptian, but he is common in almost all warm countries, and was 
formerly known in England. In the fen districts, before they were 
drained and cultivated, he was a yearly visitor, and as late as the reign 
of Edward IV. figured on the tables of our kings and wealthy barons. 
One of the most remarkable circumstances connected with this bird 
is the regularity of his annual migrations. He flies to temperate climes 
to enjoy their genial summer, and returns to southern lands to avoid the 
blasts of winter. But he does not fly alone. Though at other times he 
retires with his mate to the lone morass, and builds his nest of reeds and 
rushes on a solitary and shattered tree, lie seeks the society of his kind 
when the annual exodus begins. Then the immense and noisy company 
fall into two lines, which in front meet at an acute angle, so as to form 
a wedge-like figure, resembling the Greek gamma (y.) One of the flock 
always flies in advance of the main body, and constitutes the vortex of 
the angle ; his place being taken by another as soon as he is fatigued by 
his efibrts as a pioneer, and he retiring to the rear. Further, when the 
migrating phalanx meet with a lofty mountain, they utter shrill cries, 
apparently of anxiety and warning, and falling out of rank, ascend 
spirally, one by one, until they have attained a sufficient elevation. 
When the mountain is left behind, they resume their original formation. 
The characteristics of the common crane and those of the demoi- 
selle or Numidian, and the paradise crane, are virtually identical. In 
describing one we shall describe all. 
The crane, then, is a peculiarly graceful bird, while, at the same 
time, he is one of singular prudence and intelligence. An enthusiastic 
writer avers that his intellectual faculties recall those of man ! All his 
movements are elegant; all his ways interesting. This large, well- 
shaped, nimble bird, with his senses so well developed, and his intelli- 
gence so considerable, is perfectly aware of his advantages, as he shows 
