Suddenly, across one of those glimpses of eternity,
there flocked the forms of two majestic birds;
and from them came a far croaking trumpet sound.
By their long wings, long necks, long legs, and snowy plumes,
I later knew they were two white cranes,
the noblest thing that flies, sailing on to their northern home,
and the ring triumphant of that stirring trumpet call
still echoes in my heart.

-Ernest Thompson Seton -Trail of the Artist-Naturalist