Crane

a machine for lifting weights, worked either by hand, or by steam, or by hydraulic power. The most common hand form consisting of ah upright revolving post and a proere arm, the jib with a fixed pulley at its extremity. The lifting chain or rope is secured to the weight, pa es over the fixed pulley, and then round a drum or cylinder; suitable toothed-wheel gearing worked by a handle revolves this drum, and thus winds up or unwinds the rope or chain, and so raises or lowers the weight. WN j. STEAM CRANE. Crane, a genus of birds belonging to the order Grallw, or Grallatores. These birds are generally of considerable size, and remarkable for their long necks and stilt-like legs, which eminently fit them for living in marshes and situations subject to inundations, where they usually seek their food. This is. rincipally of vegetable matter, consisting of the seeds of various plants or grains piundered from grounds recently plowed and sown. They als, devour insects, worms, frogs, lizards, reptiles, smal) - fish, and the spawn of various aquatic animals. They build their nests among bushes or on tu ocks in the marshes, constructing them of rushes, reeds, etc., surm unted by some soft material, so high that they may cover their eggs in a standing position. The cranes annually migrate to distant regions, and perform voyages astonishing for their great length and hazardous character. Among North American species are the whooping crane and the brown or sand-hill crane. The first-named derive their trivial appellation from their loud, clear, piercing cry, which may be heard at the distance of two miles. They are very shy and vigilant, and consequently shot with difficulty. Their general color is pure white. The brown or sand-hill crane is of an ash color, generally, with shades or clouds of pale brown and sky-blue; brown prevails upon the shoulders and back. It is a very stately bird, standing when erect fully 5 feet high, and measuring 8 or 9 acro the wings. The tail is quite short, but the feathers pendent on each side of the rump are ne? long, of a delicate silky softne , and sharp-pointed. The crown of the head is bare of feathers, and of a reddish rose color, but thinly barbed with a short, stiff, black hair.