378 THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
two in number, of a drab color, and on the greater end are large, irregular 
blotches of chocolate-brown. The shell is punctulate, with numerous elevations 
resembling warts distributed over the surface. 
The blue crane , while certainly not a handsome bird, is by no means ungrace¬ 
ful, especially when feeding. It is extremely wary and rises at the least sus¬ 
picion, usually giving a hoarse call, as a warning to its mates. Though easily 
frightened they may be domesticated if taken when young and properly cared 
for. There is an island in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, that has for years been 
a favorite resort for blue cranes as well as for other species. The island is 
covered with a heavy growth of timber, much of which is destitute of foliage, 
and in these trees thousands of cranes build their nests every year. It is an 
interesting sight to 
see them feeding 
their young, which 
I have several times 
witnessed while 
spending a time at 
that summer resort. 
The cranes come 
from every direction, 
bearing in their 
strong beaks fishes 
of various kinds and 
sizes, including 
perch, bass, sun- 
fish, croppie and 
pickerel, some of 
which latter are 
occasionally so large 
as to be quite be¬ 
yond the ability of 
even the largest 
cranes to swallow. 
In such cases, after 
many vain efforts on 
the part of the young 
to gorge the prey, 
the fish is thrown out of the nest, so that a walk over the grounds reveals 
thousands of large fish, some alive and others in all stages of decomposition, 
lying where they have fallen from the nests. 
The flight of the crane is swift and graceful, and resembles somewhat that 
of an arrow. The neck is stretched straight out in front, while the legs trail 
in a direct line with the neck and body behind. At the time of migrating 
they assemble in immense flocks, choose their leader, and at the word of com¬ 
mand leave their perches, and start off on an incline until a great height is 
reached, when they move in solemn rank, each bird in its assigned place, one 
behind the other, and the commandant in the lead. The blice crane is about six 
feet in height, with a plumage of unchangeable dun color. It is a vicious 
bird when unable to retreat, and uses its beak with the effect of a stiletto. 
BEARDED CRANES. 
