“They generally leave their more northerly winter-quarters,” continued Uncle Thomas, “about the month of July or August. Previous to their departure, they assemble in large flocks, and appear to hold a consultation as to their future movements, and sometimes several meetings take place before they take flight. When they fairly set out, they mount high into the air; so high as to be invisible to the eye, unless when passing a ridge of mountains. A traveller tells us of several flights which he saw passing over Mount Carmel, each of which extended more than half a mile in breadth, and was upwards of three hours in passing. Here is a fine poetical description of a meeting of Storks preparing to migrate:— “Where the Rhine loses its majestic force In Belgian plains,—won from the raging deep By diligence amazing, and the strong Unconquerable hand of Liberty,— The Stork assembly meets; for many a day Consulting deep and various, ere they take Their arduous voyage through the liquid sky. And now, their route design’d, their leaders chose, Their tribes adjusted, clean’d their vigorous wing, And many a circle, many a short essay, Wheel’d round and round, in congregations full The figured flight ascend, and, riding high The aerial billows, mixes with the clouds.” “Is not the Crane a bird of the same sort as the Stork, Uncle Thomas?” asked Harry. “It belongs to the same family, the long-legged or stilt-birds,” said Uncle Thomas, “and their manners and habits are very similar to those of the Stork. They also are very affectionate birds. A gentleman residing in England had for some years been possessed of two brown Cranes; one of them at length died, and the survivor became inconsolable. He was apparently following his companion, when his master introduced a large mirror into the aviary. The bird no sooner beheld his reflected image, than he fancied she for whom he mourned had returned to him; he placed himself close to the mirror, plumed his feathers, and showed every sign of happiness. The scheme answered completely, the Crane recovered his health and spirits, passed almost all his time before the looking-glass, and lived many years after, at length dying from an accidental injury.