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Crane of Classical Heraldry
As a symbol of heraldry the sole crane holding a stone symbolized vigilance. Legend said that cranes lived along the banks of the Nile river and were preyed upon by Pygmees. To protect themselves at night, flocks of crane would charge one bird with watch duty, and that trusted bird would hold a stone in its claws so if the bird were to neglect its duties and fall asleep, it would drop the stone, thus awakening the other birds.
