DIRECTOKY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. Ill 



breeding season and in summer the species is social and fre- 

 quents ponds and pools in marshes, swamps and in the pine 

 woods, but in winter are apt to live in thick swamps, and 

 are then more solitary ; in flight, head and neck outstretched, 

 wing-beats, slow, at all seasons rise high in air and circle 

 about for a long time. Perch on trees, especially at night. 

 Common. Has occurred in Mass. 



Differ from J in having the hind toe smaller and eleva- 

 ted; front portion of head only ( in our species ) destitute of 

 feathers. Nests, placed on the ground in fresh-water marsh- 

 es ; eggs, one or two, yellowish-brown. Young, leave the 

 nest early and follow the i)arents. Not very social. 



A. CRANES. Gruidae. 



Characters as above. 



a. Grus. Crying- Cranes. 



Head destitute of feathers on front part and covered with 

 a scaly skin. Emit loud, harsh, continuous gobbling cries. 

 Many species dance with half raised wings. 



1. SANDHILL CRANE, G. mexicana. 41.00; bill, 5.00; 

 slaty-blue throughout, primaries, brownish ; bill and feet, 



Fie:. 128. 



K, A, a, 1. 1-4. 

 black; naked space about head, lake: iris, ruby-red, lig. 128 

 Young, more or less tinged with yellowish above ; iris, yellow 



