Species X. ARDEA AMERICANA* 
WHOOPING CRANE. 
[Plate LXIV. Fig. 3.] 
Arct. Zool. No. 339. — Catesb. i., 75. — Lath, hi., p. 42. — La Grue d'Amcrique, 
Briss. v., p. 382.— PL Enl. 889.f 
This is the tallest and most stately species of all the feathered tribes 
of the United States ; the watchful inhabitant of extensive salt marshes, 
desolate swamps, and open morasses, in the neighborhood of the sea. Its 
migrations are regular, and of the most extensive kind, reaching from 
the shores and inundated tracts of South America to the arctic circle. 
In these immense periodical journeys they pass at such a prodigious 
height in the air as to be seldom observed. They have, however, their 
resting stages on the route to and from their usual breeding places, the 
regions of the north. A few sometimes make their appearance in the 
marshes of Cape May, in December, particularly on and near Egg 
Island, where they are known by the name of Storks. The younger 
birds are easily distinguished from the rest by the brownness of their 
plumage. Some linger in these marshes the whole winter, setting out 
north about the time the ice breaks up. During their stay they wander 
along the marsh and muddy flats of the seashore in search of marine 
worms, sailing occasionally from place to place, with a low and heavy 
flight, a little above the surface ; and have at such times a very formi- 
dable appearance. At times they utter a loud clear and piercing cry, 
which may be heard at the distance of two miles. They have also 
various modulations of this singular note, from the peculiarity of which 
they derive their name. When wounded they attack the gunner, or his 
dog, with great resolution ; and have been known to drive their sharp and 
formidable bill, at one stroke, through a man's hand. 
During winter they are frequently seen in the low grounds and rice 
plantations of the Southern States, in search of grain and insects. On 
the tenth of February I met with several near the Waccamau river, in 
South Carolina ; I also saw a flock at the ponds near Louisville, Ken- 
tucky, on the twentieth of March. They are extremely shy and vigi- 
* This bird belongs to the genus Grus of Pallas, 
f Grus Americana, Ord's ed. vol. vin., p. 20. 
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