FA3f. XLIV. CRANES 261 



sharply streaked with white. It is usually to be found along 

 the borders of wooded streams and in the swamps, though occa- 

 sionally it visits the uplands, and, like the heron, perches in 

 trees. It receives the name " Crying-bird," from the character 

 of its wailing call notes. (Courlan ; Crying-bird.) 



Length, 2(5 ; wing, 12 (11-13|) ; tail, 6|; tarsus, 3|-5 ; culmen, ^-b. 

 Florida and southern Texas, south to West Indies and Central America. 



FAMILY XLIV. CKANES (GRtJID^) 



A family (18 species) of very large, very long-necked, long- 

 legged, heron-like birds, which is placed in this order (Paludi- 

 colse) with the rails, because of certain structural similarities, 

 not because of size or general appearance. As in the herons, 

 the head is more or less naked, but the plumage is compact, 

 while that of the herons is peculiarly loose. They are inhabit- 

 ants of marshes and meadows, and live upon both animal 

 and vegetable food, such as frogs, lizards, snakes, mice, Indian 

 corn, etc. Their voice is peculiarly harsh and resonant, and 

 when a number are together the sounds have been likened to 

 those of a pack of hounds in full cry ; they can be heard for 

 the distance of a mile, or even two. In flight the neck is 

 extended as in the case of the ibises or storks. 



Key to the Species 



* Tarsus, 10|-lo long ; general plumage white in the adult 



1 . Whooping Crane. 



* Tarsus, 9-10^ long ; bill, 4|-6 long 3. Sandhill Crane. 



* Tarsus, 6-9 long ; bill, 21-4^ long 2. Little Brown Crane. 



1. Whooping Crane (204. Grus americtina). — A very large, 

 white crane, with dull-red head and black wing quills. The 

 red portion, which consists of the top and side of the head and 

 a little along the side of the throat, is free from feathers but 

 is covered by a growth of black hairs. The young is similar, 

 but the head is fully feathered, and the plumage is more or 



