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I found the following two stories
recently, one on a possible mammoth and the other on a giant crane and no this
wasn`t a mechanical crane (please see the Journal of Fortean Mechanics-1.) but
the stork-like bird.
Firstly, the crane. Please note,the
usual maximum height of the tallest crane is supposed to be 5ft 11 inches higVirginia
From the Richmond Compiler (Virginia) of Sept 9
1817: “ To the Editor- Observing
from the newspapers, that considerable interest has been excited in the public
mind by the Serpent that is said
to have made its appearance in and about Gloucester harbour, Massachusetts; I am
induced to believe that it may not be out of
the way to give you a description of a mammoth CRANE, which was
observed feeding out of the Brook Stream, in this county, a few days
past.
At the time I discovered this huge
animal of the feathered race, I was in pursuit of a flock of wild Turkies. He
was standing apparently five yards from the margin of the water, upon a slight
eminence or hill from which he from time to time reached out his monstrous long
neck for the purpose of making depredations on the Finney tribe. When I first
observed him, the distance couldn`t have been much short of eighty yards. But I
determined instantly to fire at him, lest he should discover me and take wing.
Accordingly I levelled and discharged my rifle at him; which had no other
apparent effect than that of attracting his attention, by turning his enormous
long bill in the direction from which the sound proceeded. At the same time he
raised himself up and extended his neck to an elevation of more than fifteen
feet, which I afterwards ascertained from the boughs of a poplar under which he
was standing.
Not at all disheartened by the
failure of my first fire, I put in a second charge, and veering a little to the
right of of my first position, effectually concealed myself by advancing in a
range with a large white Oak, until I approached within about forty paces…As he
rose above the tops of the trees, I observed that his wings on either side
brushed the leaves of two poplars that grew within a few paces of each other.
And on placing myself in a line with the boughs of the one, and stepping off the
distance to a like range with the other established to myself that his wings
must have measured at least seven and a half feet each, besides allowing three
feet for the space of the body! I assure you Sir, when I came to reflect what an
acquisition this bird would have been to your new Museum; which I am happy to
hear is in a rapid state of progression; I could not but regret most sincerely,
the unfortunate circumstance of my noy having made prize of him.”
(2)
And now the living mammoth,or
whatever it was: From the Bangor Weekly
Register (Maine
Richard
Muirhead.
- Joke!
Images are from Wikipedia Commons.
Sarus crane. Woolly Mammoth.
