Crane
a wading bird, classified near the heron. There are three North American species. The whooping crane is fifty inches in length. The plumage is white, save that the tip of the head and the sides of the neck are red, and the wing coverts black. It bred formerly from Illinois northward in unfrequented places, and wintered in the Gulf States. The whooping cranes migrated in single file with outstretched legs and neck. This species is practically extinct. The sandhill or brown crane of somewhat more southern range is a brownish gray bird, forty inches in length. It is noted for its antics in the breeding season, which have been likened aptly to an Indian war dance. In pioneer days the sandhill crane was so numerous and so familiar from Nebraska to Minnesota as to dispute the possession of the autumn stubble fields with the turkeys, but the most courageous "gobbler" was glad to retire before the powerful wing and sharp beak of the crane. There is also a third American species known as the little brown crane. It ranges from Alaska to Mexico. See Heron
The sandhill crane goes walking
Across the field by the flashing weir,
Slowly, solemnly stalking.
The little frogs in the tules hear,
And jump for their lives if he comes near;
The fishes scuttle away in fear
When the sandhill crane goes walking.
Slowly, solemnly stalking,
There is danger and death in the least delay,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.
The chipmunks stop in the midst of play;
And "Hush, oh hush!" the field-mice say,
When the sandhill crane goes walking.
--Mrs. Mary Austin, in St. Nicholas.