19 
Audubon speaks of the capture by his son in December 1833 on Spring Island of a young bird of this species. 
This specimen, however, which is now in the British Museum is referable to G. canadensis. 
It has been stated, apparently on the authority of Sir J. Richardson, that the Whooping Crane breeds in the 
immature dress. I do not find anything of this kind recorded in the “Fauna Americana Borealis” where the description 
(p. 372) leaves no doubt that G. canadensis is really intended by the author. Otherwise he could not have spoken of 
yellowish grey birds, as grey never occurs in G. americana in any stage of its plumage. 
The Whooping Crane is a migrator}' bird. From the accounts given of this species, I gather that the birds with 
their young begin to flock in July, August and September, finally travelling southwards in October, but sometimes 
lingering on the way as late as December. They push southward as far as Florida, Louisiana, Southern Texas and 
Central Mexico, where they spend the winter. They live there, both in the interior and near the sea coast, keeping in flocks 
all the while, associating, but not altogether mixing, with flocks of G. canadensis. Wilson found Cranes of this species 
in South Carolina in the month of February, whilst Nuttall met with them at that same season of the year around the 
swampy ponds of Western Florida and throughout Georgia. According to Nuttall and Sir J. Richardson these Cranes 
generally travel by night. The usual route seems to be along the valley of the Mississippi, where Nuttall heard them passing 
during the night in vast flocks (judging from the noise they made) during his descent of that river in December 1811. 
Audubon observed them on migration, as well during the day as at night, and regardless of wind or bad weather. He 
saw them travel sometimes in a long line and sometimes in a triangle, the birds calling loudly nearly all the time. 
During the winter these Cranes spend their time on the edges of ponds and marshes, also visiting the fields and swampy 
woods. They feed on frogs, fishes, rats, mice, moles and even small alligators, and are very partial to the Sweet 
Potatoes which they find in the fields during the winter and dig out with great perseverance. They also eat grain of 
different kinds. 
In the beginning of April these Cranes begin to leave their winter-quarters travelling northwards to their breeding 
places. Aiken observed them during migration in Wyoming and Colorado. Agersborg mentions this species as a rare 
migrant in Southern Dakota. Nash records it as arriving near Westbourne in April and Thompson mentions it as a migrant 
in Carberry, whilst Calcutt saw the first arrivals passing northwards on Shell-river on the 30th April 1885. Guernsey saw 
it cross over White-sand river from the 28th April to the ist May. Stimpson says it is not untfrequently found in a young 
state in the vicinity of Chicago. Allen was informed that it is tolerably common in the Valley of Great Salt Lake in 
spring and autumn. 
The result of these observations is that the American Crane leaves its winter-quarters in the south at the beginning 
of April, and arrives at its breeding-quarters in the north towards the end of that month or the beginning of May. 
From its occurrence in spring and autumn near Great Salt Lake it is evident that high mountain ranges form no 
impediment to the travels. If this had been the case the intervention of the Rocky Mountains would have prevented their 
appearance during migration on the above-named lake. 
The American Crane is described as a very wary bird with a powerful flight and as very difficult to approach. 
Audubon gives a curious account of how a wounded bird of this species turned round on its pursuer and finally gave 
him chase, driving him till he reached his boat, when the poor bird’s pluck was rewarded by an ignominious death from 
the boat’s crew. 
These birds frequent, as a rule, marshy and low lands, constantly digging up the ground in quest of their food, 
which consists of animal as well as of vegetable matter. They feed during the day, and spend the night in the marshes 
or on some hillock. Audubon states that these Cranes also pass the night on the largest branches of high trees, crouching 
like turkeys after a while, but as this is quite unusual for Cranes to do, I suspect that in this case the Great Blue Heron 
has been mistaken for the Crane. These Cranes are said occasionally to soar round in circles at a great height inspecting 
the country. 
The American Crane lives well in confinement. The first pair of this species acquired by the Zoological Society of 
Amsterdam was purchased in 1865 at the Antwerp sale, having been imported by Mr. Charles Reiche, whilst the Zoolo¬ 
gical Society of London bought their first pair in 1868, also at Antwerp. These last birds were in brown immature 
dress. Since that date Whooping Cranes have been regularly exhibited in the Amsterdam, and in other continental 
gardens, as well as in those of the Zoological Society of London, although they are never very plentiful in the animal 
market and of late years have even become very scarce. I believe Mr. C. Reiche of Alfeld is one of the few dealers 
who import them occasionally. 
The only birds of this species living in confinement that I know of at the present time, are a pair at the Amsterdam 
Zoological Garden, and another pair in the private collection of Lord Lilford at Lilford Hall. 
The voice of these birds is very powerful, and in confinement as well as in a wild state they often use it. 
When courting the male walks round the female with very grave and measured steps erecting its ornamental inner 
