86 



ength of the Sandhill 40 inches. As specimens intermediate in size are not uncommon, 

 differentiation of the species is not always easy; and both forms may occur in eastern 

 Canada. Another Crane, the Whooping Crane Grus americana, found in the west, has 

 occasionally occurred in eastern Canada, but its piu-e white colour, or white washed with 

 rust colour, black primaries, and extremely large size — 50 inches — make it easy of recogni- 

 tion. 



Field Marks. Bare forehead coloured dull reddish, flight with neck outstretched in- 

 stead of folded, and more upland habits> 



Nesting. In wet marshy places, nest of waste vegetable matter. 



Distribution. Western Canada, breeding within the bounds of cultivation and north- 

 ward. 



The Sandhill Crane appears to have been a more common visitor to 

 eastern Canada, the Great Lakes region at any rate, in the early days than 

 at present. It is now only a rare straggler east of the prairie provinces, 

 though a few individuals still nest in southern Michigan and it is not impos- 

 sible that a few may still be found occasionally in adjoining parts of Ontario. 



Economic Status. Too rare in eastern Canada to have any economic 

 importance. Though a more graminivorous feeder than the Herons and 

 occasionally visiting r'ultivated ground in numbers in the migration season, 

 it does httle damage; for in the spring it comes early and in autumn it 

 takes only waste grtc '. The insect part of its food is large. 



SUBORDER— RALLI. SMALLER MARSH BIRDS. 



As regards Canada, this suborder, comprising the Rails, Gallinules, 

 and Coots, may be called Smaller Marsh Birds, as compared with the 

 larger Grues. They are not heron-like in form and cannot possibly be con- 

 fused with the Cranes either in shape, habit, or size. Of this suborder 

 only one family Rallidce occurs in eastern Canada. 



FAMILY RA.LLID^. RAIL-LIKE BIRDS. 



General Description. Toes long and slender for the purpose of covering a large area of 

 soft uncertain footing. The pedal characters are somewhat like those of the shore Birds 

 but the hind toe is as long and well developed as the others and inserted on a level with 

 them instead of being sUghtly elevated. In this respect they resemble the Herons, but can 

 be distinguished from them by their unheron-hke build and their feathered lores. 



They are typical marsh birds, skulking in the long grass and reeds, 

 running swiftly over yielding masses of half-floating vegetation, and 

 preferring to hide rather than fly on the approach of danger. They all 

 swim, some habitually and others on occasion. The family is divided 

 into three subfamilies: Rallus, the true Rails; GallinuUnce, Gallinules or 

 Mud Hens; and FulicincB, Coots. 



Subfamily — Rallus. True Rails. 



General Description. Very flat-bodied birds, compressed laterally, adapted for slipping 

 between close growing reeds and grasses; wings small, rounded, and comparatively weak; 

 the whole structure of the bird is loose, giving the flexibility needed by habit and habitat, 

 but not adapted for prolonged or strenuous effort. 



Distinctions. Most easily recognized by negative characteristics: rail-like birds as 

 described above that are neither Gallinules nor Coots; without the frontal shield on fore- 

 head of those birds (Figures 25 and 26, p. 22). 



Field Marks. Ilails rise from the grass at one's feet with a loose, feeble flight, legs 

 dangUng and neck outstretched. They rise with evident and hurried difficulty, fly weakly 

 a short way over the marsh, and then suddenly collapse into it again. 



