OR VS CANADENSIS. 
423 
small, circular, cypress swamp which is always surrounded by a more luxuriant growth of 
grass than is found elsewhere. I was nearing one of these places, when I was startled by- 
hearing loud, prolonged, gobbling cries, mingled with cacklings, just as though a number 
of Turkeys and Geese had met and were holding a most vociferous consultation. At first, 
I could not make out the exact point from which all this clatter proceeded, as the woods 
were completely filled with the din which echoed and re-echoed through the surrounding 
arches formed by the trees. But a nearer inspection discovered a single bird of a large 
size, stalking off slowly, and then to my amazement, [ perceived that he alone was the au¬ 
thor of all the noise, and that I, by invading what he had considered his especial posses¬ 
sions, was the innocent cause of all this uproar. I recognized the bird as the Sandhill 
Crane, at once, but upon trying to make a nearer acquaintance, off he went, still keeping 
up his continuous din. This clamorousness is one of the chief characteristics of these birds 
when disturbed, and during early mornings they will also gobble, evidently for their own 
gratification, while they will do the same thing when sailing high in air in wide circles, 
with out-stretched legs and neck, and motionless wings, a habit to which they are addicted 
at times. 
The Sandhill Cranes gather in large flocks on the unfrequented prairies of Central Flor¬ 
ida, but no matter how remote the locality from settlements, the birds are always very 
wild, but upon one occasion, I succeeded in creeping within a hundred yards of some fifty 
or more, rifle in hand. The birds were walking about, and I waited until I had a favora¬ 
ble opportunity, when I fired, severely wounding one. The rest rose with loud cries and 
were flying away, when, to my surprise, a large Crane, evidently perceiving me, turned 
and came with headlong speed, directly toward me, gobbling continuously. I waited 
quietly until he was within ten feet of my head, when thinking he meant mischief, I took a 
snap shot at him with my rifle, but in the excitement of the moment, missed his body, the 
ball merely passing through his feathers. This salute fortunately turned him and he fol¬ 
lowed his retreating companions. I then started after the wounded bird which was using 
his legs to good effect, and although the bird was a swift runner, I was succeeding in out¬ 
stripping him, when he gave me the second surprise that I had received that day, by turn¬ 
ing in his tracks and meeting me half way. The Crane came boldly up and made a lunge 
at me with his powerful bill, but here the contest proved too unequal for him, for reaching 
out suddenly, I caught him by the neck, when I soon terminated the conflict. 
Sandhill Cranes breed in March in Florida, placing their nests in the shallow water 
of one of the marshes which occasionally occur in the piney woods. The birds heap up a 
mass of mud, roots, grass, weeds, etc., forming a conical pile which is elevated about six 
* inches above the water, and which is some eighteen inches in diameter on the top. This 
is slightly hollowed and the two eggs are deposited on it, while the female sits on them in 
the ordinary manner by doubling her long legs beneath her. She is quite* conspicuous when 
on this mound, but when she perceives an intruder, she quietly slips off and skulks away 
through the grass, taking care not to rise until she has gone some distance, when she flies 
silently away. The dancing of this species has frequently been described by writers, and I 
have not only seen wild.birds jumping up five or six feet in air, with partly extended wings, 
