176 
GRUIDiE. 
Attempts to keep the birds as pets are seldom made, but 
they are readily domesticated. A few years ago, returning in a 
boat from an egg- seeking excursion, I was surprised to hear a 
sound exactly resembling the cryAf an Oyster-catcher, but much 
weaker, proceeding from the handkerchief in which some eggs 
were tied, and, on examination, found a very handsome egg of 
an Oyster-catcher just chipped by the young bird. I kept it 
warm in my hands, and on reaching home, placed it in wool 
before the fire. It liberated itself in a few hours, and immedi- 
ately began running about the kitchen floor, soon afterwards 
picking up bread soaked in milk, and the yolk of hard-boiled 
egg. A neighbour to whom I gave it soon “lost fancy” for it, 
and the poor little thing was starved to death. 
These birds are extremely fond of earthworms, and very soon 
learn to pick them up before the spade. 
II. GBUIBjE. 
THE CEANE. 
Ch '118 cinerea. 
The islands of Orkney and Shetland seem to be particularly 
favoured by this now scarce bird. The first mention of its oc- 
currence in Shetland is by Dr Eleming, who says — “ A small 
flock appeared during harvest in 1807, in Tingwall, Zetland, as 
I was informed by the Eev. John Turnbidl, the worthy minister 
of the parish, who added that they fed on grain.” The last- 
mentioned fact is important. According to Mr Dunn, one was 
killed in Shetland between the years 1831 and 1833 ; and 
Mr Wolley gives an account of one seen in 1848. Two other 
instances have occurred within my own knowledge. 
One evening about the middle of June 1864, four large birds, 
uttering loud cries, which were described as resembling those 
of the wild swan, were observed flying across Balta Sound in 
a southerly direction, and, slowly descending, they became lost 
