BIRDS OF KANSAS. 131 



This southern form does not appear to be nearly as common 

 within its range as the Black-crowned, which it closely resem- 

 bles in habits, though more diurnal, slower in flight, and less 

 easy to approach. 



Their nests are placed on trees and bushes, a loose flat struc- 

 ture of sticks. Eggs three to five, 1.95x1.42; pale yellowish 

 to greenish blue; in form, oval to elliptical oval. A set of three, 

 taken June 12th, 1884, near the mouth of the Colorado River, 

 Texas, from a nest composed of sticks and grasses, in a small 

 tree, about ten feet from the ground, are in dimensions, small, 

 viz.: 1.94x1.39, 1.94x1.38, 1.94x1.39. 



Order PALUDICOL^E. 

 cranes, rails, etc. 



"Hind toe small and elevated (but neck much lengthened and bill strong 

 and hard ) in Gh'uidcR; lengthened and incumbent in ArmidcB and Ballidm. Wings 

 comparatively short and rounded, and body compressed (except in Cfruidce). 

 Habits prsecocial, and young dasypsedic. Palate schizognathous. Carotids 

 double." 



SuBORDEE GRUES. Cra]s:es. 



•'Size large; head partly naked (except in young) or with ornamental plumes; 

 middle toe less than half the tarsus; hallux small, much elevated." 



Family GRUIDiE. Cranes. 

 •'Characters same as those given for suborder." 



Genus GRUS Pallas. 



"Bill lengthened, straight, the upper mandible only slightly decurved at the 

 extreme tip; the commissure and other outlines straight. Nasal groove very 

 large and open, extending over the basal two-thirds of the bill. Nostrils broadly 

 open, pervious; the anterior extremity half way from the tip of the bill to eye. 

 The upper half of the head naked, warty, but with short hairs. 



"Legs much lengthened; toes short, hardly more than one-third the tarsus. 

 Inner toe rather longer, its claw much larger than the outer. Hind toe elevated, 

 short. Toes connected at base by membrane. Tarsi broadly scutellate ante- 

 riorly. Tertials longer than primaries, decurved; first quill not much shorter 

 than second. Tail of twelve feathers."' 



