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Tolerably common migrant and rare summer resident; frequent in Mouse River country in August, September, and October (Coues). Winnipeg: Summer resident; tolerably common (Hine). Oak Point: 1884, arrived May 1, 1885; first seen, three, on April 15; next seen on April 17; is common and breeds here (Small). Rare summer resident near Westbourne, arriving in April; seen all summer (Nash). Carberry: In migrations only; rare; have seen specimens from Shoal Lake, where it is said to breed (Thompson). Breeding in the marshes between Moose Mountain and the Pipestone (Macoun). Shell River: 1885, first seen, two, on April 30; next seen, a pair, on May 3; a transient visitant, passing north and not breeding (Calcutt). White Sand River (Christy). Qu’Appelle: Transient, passing over; April 28 to May 1 (Guernsey).

On April 19, 1882, saw two Whooping Cranes; the residents call them “Flying Sheep.” They flew at a great height and were loudly croaking.

This beautiful bird is common in the Qu’Appelle Valley and in the Touchwood Hill range. It is a dangerous antagonist when wounded, striking with unerring aim and great force with its powerful bill. When the bird is wounded, the best way to avoid its attacks is to present the muzzle of the gun as it approaches; it will fix its bill in the barrel, and may then be destroyed without danger. Instances have been known of this bird driving its bill deep into the bowels of a hunter when not successful in warding off its blow. (Hine.)