132 HISTORY OF THE 



Grus americana (Linn.). 



WHOOPING CRANE. 



Migratory; rare. Arrive about the middle of March to first 

 of April; return in October, a few remaining until about the 

 middle of November. 



B. 478. R. 583. C. 668. G. 372, 60. U. 204. 



Habitat. Interior of North America, north into the British 

 possessions, south to Florida and Central Mexico. 



Sp. Char. '■^ Adult: Whole crown and occiput covered with a warty or gran- 

 ulated skin, almost bare on the occiput, but covered anteriorly by black, hair- 

 like bristles; the color of this skin reddish, in life. Lores and malar region, 

 including a narrow angular strip extending from the latter down each side of 

 the throat, also naked and similarly bristled, the bristles denser anteriorly. 

 Color entirely pure white, excepting the primaries and their coverts, which are 

 uniform slate black, and a patch of plumbeous on the upper part of the nape, 

 adjoining the bare skin of the occiput aud extending downward for the distance 

 of about two inches. Bill wax yellow; iris gamboge yellow; bare skin of head 

 dull orange color; legs blue black. Young: Head completely feathered. Gen- 

 eral color white, with large patches here and there, especially above, of light 

 cinnamon, the head and neck almost continuously of this color. The primaries 

 and their coverts uniform dull black, as in the adiUt. Bill dull wax yellow, the 

 terminal portion blackish; legs and feet blackish. Immature: Bare portion of 

 the head indicated by feathers of a harsher texture and darker color than else- 

 where, occupying the areas which are naked in the fully adult. Plumage much 

 stained with pale cinnamon, as in tlie first plumage." 



stretch of 



These birds breed in suitable locations, from central Illinois, 

 north into the fur regions, chiefly along our northern borders, 

 in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, to Slave Lake. They do not 

 inhabit the Pacific coast, and I can find no mention of their 

 presence west of the Rocky Mountains. 



These birds are very wary and ever upon the lookout, rising 

 over every suspicious spot when on the wing, and when on the 

 ground spring into the air at the first sight or appearance of 

 danger, with a warning note to others. In flight, their long 

 necks and stilt-like legs are stretched out in line with the body 

 to their full extent, moving strongly, with slowly-beating wings, 

 but not swiftly; I say strongly because they are able to face a 

 strong wind, and to sustain themselves for a long time in the 

 air, often circling spiral-like to a great height. They occasion- 



