Litchfield enquirer., 1832-09-06


lowing account Of fierce and extraprdi-
nary contest between man. and a bird,
which occurred on the banks of the Hat
chez, not far distant from Bolivar The
gentleman to whom we are indebted for
this narrative, IS one of HninspeachaIlA
veracity. His, perhaps, considering Ito
character Of the combatants, as unique aud
bloody battle as can. lie found on record.
About three months since, farmer Iiv-
ing four or 1--we milessup the Haichee, was
searching on ths bottom land Of THAT river,
for sirayed ,calil when he observed some-
thing Of unusuas appearance pass through
the thickei, which he pursued and soon
discovered 10 be large bird. The bird,
attempted to rise, but its, wings becoming
imped6a by the bushes or cane, it had no
chance to get Off that way, and finding il
self gained upon by its pursuer, il turned
upon him. Somewhat surprised by this
unexpected attack, he startad to run from
with wings, bcak and claws; and the man
found il necessary to turn Immediately on
his face but finding himself sorely annoy
ed by his antagonist, and his knifeblade
coming ont ofthe haft. IA shoe kisife,) he
scrambled up and ran. The bird pursued
buta short distance, stopping at bis hat,
(Which had fallen offinthe fight. on which
he commenced a furious attack after
which he returned toward the water. Al
man Of more than six feet high, and weigh-,
ing about 1870 lbs, to be beaten by a bird
this would not do To tell. The blade Of
the knife was searched for, found, and fit.
ted to the handle, and two sticks cut, one
with fork, to yoke the enemy's neck in
his advance, --the otherto strike him with.
The bird was soon found, and nothing 10th,
returned to the combat. The onset of the
feathered biped was sa1severe and sudden,
that the forked stick missed his neck. and
only sudden movement Of the head prob
ably saved an eye Of the man from the bill
Of the bird,
The struggle. now became most violent,
for the man had seized the bird by the neck,
while the bird dealt him such blows with
his wings, and SO tore him with his claws,
that very COARSE shirt was literally tornof
his back. At last the bird was strangled,
and lay apparently lifeless at the feet Of
the conqueror. While, however, no was
taking breath and rest after his toll. his
feathersd enemy fell unexpectedly again
upon him., having now revived another
struggle ensued-lhe coup dc'DH was re-
sorted to "A second time, with success; aud
the bird being again stEangled, his adver-
sary gnGsced his sondpipe in two, having
lost his knife and being completely tired
Of his contest. lt.
This is an interesting fact 10 ornithoi-
ogists, and the curious generally. The
bird wasBpnrely white, except at the bend
ofthe wincs--head bald---a bunch Of feath-
ers over the rump--bill 9 or 10 inches long
| -eighs feet high---wings 9 feet from Tip TO
tip--lcgs and feet resembling 4 turkeys.
! but stout--large knees and thighs-its cry
very harsh, resembling, US my informant
says, that Of jackass! he declared, its
Iraying was right frighifnl.' have COM
versed with several persons who saw the
bird after il was dead, one Of whom has
brought me several feathers, (which are
bright and beautifully and promised mo a
wing, both Of which have been preserved /;
but the body unfortunately was Jeff for the
hogs to destroy. The body and face OF
the man were examined two months after
the battle, by respectable physician Of
this place, aud he asserts that the wounds
strongly corroborated the story. have no
doubf Ofthe facts. The bird was undoubt-
edly the Whooping Crane.
Bolivar, Ten, July 9Th, 1892 .3.lss
Upon turning to the article Crane
(Grns, In the Encyclopedia American 81
The G. American derive their trivial
appellation from their loud, piercing cry.
which may be heard at the distance Of tive
miles. III wounded they attack the sports
man or his dog with great spirit. and are
said to have occasionally driven their long
pointed bill through the hand Of d man
Wilson states that during winter. they are
frequently seen IN the low grounds and rice
plantations of the Southern States, seeking
for grain and insects. He met with them
on the 10Th Of February, near WaccamaD
river, in South Caroline, and saw another
flock near Louisville, KY, about the 10th
March. They were very shy and vigilans,
and consequently shot with di6icnlty. -
They sometimes rise spirally ID the air, 70
q vast height, their mingIing screams re-
sembling q full pack ofhounds, even " hen
they are almost out Of sight. They are
distinguished from other cranes ~ = com-
parative badness Of their heads, and by the
broad Gag plumage projecting over the tail.
Their general color IL pure white
+ KISSING AND SAILORS RIGHTS.