123 
Field Marks. Easily recognized as a Crane by general even coloration, and in flight 
at any distance by outstretched neck and feet, instead of head held in to the shoulders as 
in the Herons. It is also commonly seen on the high, dry uplands and cultivated fields 
which the Herons never frequent. From the Little Brown Crane, however, it is probably 
inseparable in life by visual characters. Early spring arrivals are likely to be Sandhills 
and on the prairies and in the southern parts of British Columbia breeding or summer 
resident birds are certainly this species. The Little Browns are still flying northward in 
large migrant flocks during May, while the Sandhills already are nesting. 
Nesting. On the ground in wet marshes. 
Distribution. Western North America, breeding west of the Great Lakes northward 
across our boundary an indefinite distance, for we do not know just where the dividing line 
comes between the ranges of this and the preceding species. Birds nesting on Great Slave 
lake are thought to be the Little Brown. South in winter to Mexico. 
Figure 150 
Longitudinal section through sternum 
of Sandhill Crane; 
scale, 1- 
The rattling tinny trumpet note of these birds is one of the notable 
sounds of the west. It can be heard for miles. Far away and softened by 
the distance it reaches the ear; a glance around reveals no sign of life, then 
away off on the pale prairie horizon 
a few specks heave into sight, they 
grow into birds with wide waving 
pinions, heads outstretched on 
slender necks as if reaching forward. 
Hoarse horn answers horn louder 
and clearer back and forth, through- 
out the long-drawn line, and they 
come on with stately measured beat 
at a pace that eats the miles. A 
neighbouring hill attracts them, 
they circle it to see that the coast 
is clear, and then settle on its top, 
silhouetted in black against the sky. 
For a moment the trumpetings 
redouble as they stand at full height 
and survey the country for possible 
dangers, then the sounds cease, one 
by one the heads drop, the necks gracefully curve as they search the 
ground about with delicate grace, picking up a morsel here or making a 
quick reach there with an agile step or two after a fleeing grasshopper. 
Should the observer show himself the quick eyes note at once, the trumpet 
is blown, and all are drawn up to attention again. Often, the flock quietly 
edges over the hilltop where with body hidden from view they observe 
the suspicious object intently, only the head showing periscope-like above 
the round swell of the hill. They veritably hide behind mountains and 
peer over the peaks. 
' In mating season they perform strange dances, with jumping, bowing, 
and gesticulations, the long legs angling stiffly and on occasion the wings 
waving wildly. Sometimes the ritual culminates in raising a stick or frag- 
ment from the ground, and hurling it high in the air. The nest is solitary, 
situated usually in the centre of a wide, wet, marshy slough, a 6-foot 
platform of reeds where the two downy red youngsters are hatched, under 
the solicitous attentions of both parents, for they make an ideal pair, 
sharing the household duties and responsibilities and probably mating for 
life. Throughout the summer, groups of unattached, non-breeding birds 
cruise about from slough to slough; pass the nights on mud-bars far out 
in the lakes and mornings and evenings their trumpeting flocks can be 
