GItUS. CRANE. 19 



tinuous, angular, or undulated. Their cry is a loud clear 

 trumpet-like sound. They frequent marshy plains, the mar- 

 gins of lakes and rivers, as well as fields and dry wastes ; 

 feeding chiefly on vegetable substances, but occasionally also 

 on insects and reptiles. Although the)'' bear some consider- 

 able resemblance to the Herons and Storks, they are clearly 

 not of that family, but more allied to the Bustards and 

 Plovers ; their very muscular stomach and double coeca being 

 sufficient to separate them from the former birds. Besides, 

 their young are able to run with great celerity while yet 

 covered with down. They are said to nestle on the ground, 

 and to lay two or three eggs. 



