Andy Yachuk, age 13, of St. Catharines, Ont., Canada, for his question:

COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE WHOOPING CRANE?

All of the world's 14 species of cranes are spectacular birds--long-legged, long-necked, aristocratic-looking and elegantly feathered. But few can match the regal bearing of the whooping crane.. North America's tallest bird, the whooping crane reaches five feet in height. Whenever you see one, you can't help but be awed.

At one time whooping cranes swooped and soared over our entire continent, breeding throughout a 1,000-mile section of Middle America from Illinois to the Dakotas and into Canada. But their numbers declined alarmingly as they fell victim to hunters, and their nesting grounds in the prairies turned into croplands. Today naturalists estimate that only about 50 wild whooping cranes are alive, nesting in northern Canada and spending the winter in Texas.

Seeing and hearing a whooping crane is an unforgettable experience. Up to five feet tall, their plumage is snowy white except for jet-black wing tips and vivid red heads. The powerful broad wings span six to eight feet, and as they fly their long necks stretch forward like spears cutting through the air. The male is capable of a bugle-like call resembling an Indian war whoop, which pierces the air for up to two miles. This identifying call comes from a coiled, five-foot-long windpipe.

Whooping cranes mate for life and enjoy a secluded existence in their established territory. Mr. Crane is the undisputed boss of the family, always ready to challenge an enemy with raucous bugle calls and, if necessary, a head-on charge to ward off intruders. Mrs. Crane devotes herself to domestic chores, building a nest on rushes in marshy water and tending to her awkward but rapidly growing chick. If there are twin youngsters, the father shares the feeding duties. Baby cranes remain under their parents' tutelage for about a year.

Whooping cranes have long legs and beaks, perfect equipment for wading through marshy ponds and snatching tasty tidbits here and there. Favorite items are juicy plants, insects, frogs, worms, small fish and the eggs of water animals. After their early morning feed, they stand on one leg and groom themselves.

The courtship dance of whooping cranes is a lovely ballet of bows, pirouettes and leaps. Even after mating, they renew their ties by repeating this elaborate dance. One bird skips and flaps toward the other with a series of formal nods. Both leap with legs stiff, magnificent wings outstretched, bills pointing skyward. Jumping higher and higher, they circle frantically, until suddenly the dance is over.