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A BIRD OF PRUDENCE. 
by all his actions. His steps are light, measured, calm, and dignified; 
he runs only when hard pressed ; without effort he rises from the 
ground, after one or two preparatory bounds ; with a few blows of his 
powerful wings he gains a sufficient elevation; then, with neck and 
feet outstretched, he continues his flight, tranquilly but rapidly, to- 
wards the object which he has in his mind's eye. Yet there are 
moments when this same bird, this embodiment of grace and dignity, 
abandons himself to various recreative exercises, — unbends, as wise 
philosophers will do in their lighter hours. Then he leaps with joy, 
assumes the most singular postures, opens his wings, and dances, or 
rather flies, describing circles of the most superbly graceful character. 
Linnaeus allied the cranes with the herons; other naturalists connect 
them with the storks : but the fact is, they diff'er greatly from both. 
The heron is prone to assume the most ridiculous postures, and, saj's 
Brehm, under more than one aspect is quite a caricature. The stork, 
too, has its absurdities. But with the crane every movement is grace- 
ful, even when the bird is in his joyous mood. He picks up tiny 
pebbles and fragments of wood, throws them in the air, endeavours to 
catch them ; curves his body rapidly, and several times in succession ; 
beats his wings, dances, leaps, runs from side to side ; and seeks in 
every way to express his gaiety and good-humour, while always and 
ever remaining beautiful and gracious. 
His prudence is really astonishing. More rapidly than any other 
of the stilt-birds does he learn to judge of things, and to adapt 
his way of life accordingly. He is not timid, but he is prudent to a 
degree, and therefore very difficult to "catch napping." Alone, his 
vigilance is incessant ; in the company of his congeners, he throws out 
sentinels to watch over the common safety ; and if he is disturbed in 
any particular locality, he sends out skirmishers to reconnoitre before 
he returns to it. Says Brehm : — " It is with real pleasure I have seen 
examples of the prudence of the African cranes, when they have 
become aware of the hostile intentions of the sportsmen. They sent 
out a spy or scout, then several; these examined everything, looked 
into all the nooks and corners, and returned to the community, who 
had not always full confidence in their report. A fresh company of 
