[Case 31.] 
[Case 31. ] 
[Cases 
31, 32.] 
58 BIRD GALLERY. 
Family IV. Cartamip&. Carriamas. (PI. XII. fig. 1.) 
The position of these birds in the Avian system has given rise to much 
discussion. Some authors have placed them in the Accipitres, near the 
Secretary-bird, which they resemble in general appearance and in 
certain habits; but the most recent work of anatomists seems to show 
that their proper position is with the Cranes. The Brazilian Cariama 
(Cariama cristata) (696) 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 spotted like those of Cranes and 
Rails. Like the Secretary-birds, it kills its prey, such as rats, by 
striking down on them with its feet and reducing them to pulp. 
Family V. Psoppupm. TRUMPETERS. 
The Trumpeters, an example of which will be found in the common 
form (Psophia crepitans) (695), include about half a dozen species, all 
confined to South America. Their popular name is derived from their 
curious trumpet-like call, which is probably produced by means of the 
enormously developed trachea. Their favourite haunts are the moist 
forests, where, being extremely sociable birds, they are generally met 
with in flocks. The powers of flight are small, and being easily tamed, 
they are often to be seen in the settlements of the Indians in a domes- 
ticated condition. The nest is placed on the ground, and the eggs, 
unlike those of the other members of the Order, are white. 
Family VI. Gruipa. Cranes. 
The true Cranes are long-necked, long-legged, stately birds, generally 
with bright patches of colour on the head, and with the inner secondary 
flizht-feathers developed into drooping ornamental plumes. They are 
found in all parts of the world except South America. The character- 
istic cry is a very loud trumpeting sound, uttered with the head thrown 
back and the bill open, 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 (Balearica) the 
windpipe is simple and does not enter the breast-bone. 
Cranes are gregarious, and during their migrations travel in single 
file 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. Their peculiar habit of dancing 
and going through various graceful antics may be witnessed any day at 
