176 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
THE CRANE. 
216. The Crane, of which there are many varie- 
ties, belongs to the heron tribe. Birds of this class 
are distinguished by the length of their legs and 
bills, and are well adapted for wading, and finding 
their food in marshes, which they frequent. 
217. As they rise from the ground very heavily, 
they are extremely shy, and seldom let the fowler 
approach them. During the night, they sometimes 
make great ravages in fields of grain. 
218. The ancients have been particular in their 
description of this bird, and have thus immortalized 
its name. From the policy of the Cranes, they say, 
we may form an idea of a perfect republic. 
219. From their tenderness to their decrepit 
How are the Crane kind distinguished ? What did the ancients 
say of the Crane ? 
