42 
WHOOPING CRANE. 
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 sea-shore 
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 formidable 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 10th of February, I met with several 
near the Waccamau river, in South Carolina ; I also saw a 
flock at the ponds near Louisville, Kentucky, on the 20th of 
March. They are extremely shy and vigilant, so that it is 
with the greatest difficulty they can be shot. They sometimes 
rise in the air spirally to a great height, the mingled noise of 
their screaming, even when they are almost beyond the reach 
of sight, resembling that of a pack of hounds in full cry. On 
these occasions, they fly around in large circles, as if recon- 
noitring the country to a vast extent for a fresh quarter to 
feed in. Their flesh is said to be well tasted, nowise savour- 
ing of fish. They swallow mice, moles, rats, &c., with great 
avidity. They build their nests on the ground, in tussocks of 
long grass, amidst solitary swamps, raise it to more than a foot 
in height, and lay two pale blue eggs, spotted with brown. 
These are much larger, and of a more lengthened form than 
those of the common hen. 
The cranes are distinguished from the other families of their 
genus by the comparative baldness of their heads, the broad 
flag of plumage projecting over the tail, and in general by 
their superior size. They also differ in their internal organi- 
