The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-02-01
THE SAND HILL CRANE.
GruS cdnddensis.

Wilson supposes this to be the young of
the great, or whooping crane, Grus Amer
tcana; while INITIAL in our opinion bet
ter authority. describes it as distinct spe-
cies. Our acquaintance with this bird in
clines us decidedly to the latter opinion.
white crane standing near foot taller, the
color of the naked skin of the head, and of
the bill, is sufficiently different to mark
them as distinct species. The brown crane
has the head of reddish brown and the
bill blackish, while the whooping crane has
the bill of wax yellow, and the head
oranged colored.
Again, out of large flocks of these Birds
which passing the summer IN Illinois, are
to be seen all over the State, to one hun
dred of the brown cranes you would hardly
find two of the white kind; and, it seems
to us, that as it resorts to our prairies to
breed, that if it were the young of the
whooping crane, the old white fathers and
grandfathers would sometimes come west
to visit their descendants; especially as
they can pass from the Carolnas to Illinois
in a few hours, and that free of cost; Cir
cumstance which is apt to weigh with peo-
pie at certain time of life.
The brown crane arrives in Illinois in
May, and takes up in the sloughs Or swamps
in which it's favorite food abounds; for our
crane resembles the Frenchman in this
among other things, that his most extreme
delicacy is fat frog.
The nest is made in an elevated spot in
swamp, generally built in tussock of
grass, to raise it somewhat above the
ground. The eggs are two in number, of
an olive green, spotted with brown, and
about the size of that of goose.
When the young are half grown, they
are of blush or slate color, and are very
easily tanned. Though one Of the widest
and most wary of birds, when in a state of
domestication it becomes so tame as to
walk about the house and feed from the
table, which its long neck and legs enable
it to do with ease.
Between one and two years old, the crane
assumes it's brown color, which sometimes
so nearly resembles the peleage Of the deer,
that in the long grass the bird is often mis-
taken for the beast
At the latter end of summer the crane
abandons his reptile diet, and resorting to
the corn fields, becomes fat and savory
food, equal to the Canada goose, and near
ly as good bird as the wild turkey.
At the approach of cold weather he takes
himself off to the South, to visit his posi-
BILE grandsire, and probable cousin, the
whooping crane, whose melody of voice our
bird possesses in some degree.
Our crane is very vigorous and courage
Gus bird, and when attacked defends itself
so desperately with his five inch dagger,
that we think he would be match for any
bird of prey, except the eagle. Of this we
once had an ocular proof, when we first
came into the country and were unacquaint-
ed with the habits of the varmints. Rid
ing over the prairies in September, we
came upon flock of full grown brown
cranes, and drove within easy shot of them
We fired from the wagon at the nea rest,
and he fell; the others took wing. We
leaped from the wagon to secure our easy
prev, when to our establishment, instead of
allowing himself to be quietly bagged, the
crane came 1T us at the pas de charge, with
Tapping wings and leyelled beak. AS the
bird stands about four feet high, this was
a new experience to one who had shot
nothing larger or more formidable than a
grouse. We gave him the second barrel,
but either the shot, No. were too small
to penetrate his feathers, or in our haste
| and confusion we missed him altogether.
We now began to think that discretion was
the better part of vaiOr, and would have
been willing to cry quits with Mr.. Crane,
but his dander was up, as well as his feath-
ers, and whatever may be his affinity to the
white crane, he certainly showed no white
feather. There was nothing for it but a
fight. So we aimed blow at his head
with the butt of the gun, which he lodged,
and returned with pass of the long beak
at our eyes. Fortunately, we had taken
some years before, a few lessons in the art
| of self defense; so we cleverly stopped the
dagger thrust, and Selling the crane by the
neck. after severe struggle, succeeded in
throwing him on the ground, and putting
our knee on his neck. Then with pocket
knife, we finished him. During this time
we were SO sorely buffeted by his wing,
| and scratched we determined to be careful
| how we meddled with a sand hill crane.
! We once saw a tame crane whipa couple
| Of good sized dogs which came into the yard
where it was kept, The dogs attacked it
on sight, but the crane very coolly waiting
| their approach, flew up some ten feet per-