,")S HI 1(1) GAI.LEKV. 



Family l\. Cakiamid.k. Cariamas. (PI. XII. tii;. 1.) 



[Case -il. 'I'lie po-sitiouol' these birds in tlic Avian system has given rise to much 

 discussion. Some autliors have placed them in the Accipitrex, near the 

 Secretary-bird, wliicli they resemble in general appearance and in cer- 

 tain habits ; but the most recent work of anatomists seems to show that 

 their ])roper position is vpith the Cranes. The Brazilian Cariama 

 [CdrimiKi criatiifd) (596) is a native of South-eastern Brazil^ living on 

 the ground among the high grasses of the campos, where its loud 

 screaming cry may frequently be heard. The nest is placed on low 

 bushes, and the eggs are rounded and s[iotted like tliose of Cranes and 

 Rails. Like the Secretary-birds, it kills its prey, such as rats, by 

 striking down cm them with its feet and reducing them to pulp. 



Family V. Psopiuin.E. Trumpeters. 



j Case •■SI. The 'frumpeters, an e\am[ile of which will be found in the common 

 form [Psojiliia rrcpitans] (595), include about half a dozen species, all 

 confined to South America. Their popular name is derived from their 

 curious trumi)Ct-like call, most likely produced by means of the enor- 

 mously developed trachea. Their favourite haunts are the moist fiu'ests, 

 where, being extremely sociable birds, tliey arc generally met with in 

 flocks. The ])0wers of flight are small, and being easily tamed, the}' 

 are often to be seen in the settlements of the Indians in a domesticated 

 condition. The nest is placed on the ground, and the eggs, ludike 

 ihose of the other members of the Order, are white. 



Family VI. Gruid.i;. Cranes. 



[Cases The true Cranes are long-necked, long-legged, stately birds, generally 

 -' with bright patches of colour on the head, and with the inner secondary 

 flight-feathers developed into drooping ornamental plumes. They ari' 

 found in all parts of the \\orld except South America. The character- 

 istic cry is a very loud trumpeting sound, uttered with the head thrown 

 back and the bill oi)en, and produced by a peculiar convolution of the 

 windpipe within the hollow keel of the breast-bone. The length and 

 development of these convolutions depend on age, and they are entirely 

 absent in very young birds. In the Crowned Cranes [Balenrica] the 

 windpipe is simple and docs not enter the breast-bone. 



Cranes are gregarious, and during their migrations travel in single 

 tile or in V-shaped array, after the manner of wild Geese ; they frequent 

 marshes and plains, and are specially fond of the neighbourhood of 

 lagoons and fields of rice and corn. Thcii' peculiar habit of dancing 

 and going through various graceful antics may be witnessed any day at 



