Crane

CRANE . In Isaiah 38:14 and Jeremiah 8:7 sûs or sîs is rendered in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘crane,’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] correctly ‘Swallow’ [wh. see]. In the same passages ‘agûr is rendered in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘swallow,’ RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘crane.’ The crane ( Grus communis ) is the largest bird which visits W. Palestine; its length is four feet. They arrive in large flocks in the winter ( Jeremiah 8:7 ). Its trumpeting note is strangely described (in Isaiah 38:14 EV [Note: English Version.] ) as ‘chattering,’ and this makes the translation somewhat doubtful.

E. W. G. Masterman.