302 Synopsis of the Birds 



with soft substances ; lay but two eggs, which each sex 

 cover alternately standing, the other at the same time watch- 

 ing ; taking great care of their young. Migrate in flocks : 

 notwithstanding their size, undertake periodically more won- 

 derful and hazardous journeys than any other bird : ascend- 

 ing out of sight, moving in an isosceles triangle, especially 

 at night, and performing evolutions suited to the state of 

 the wind, or attacks of rapacious birds. The shrill voice of 

 the leader, re-echoed by the whole flock, indicates their unseen 

 passage. Flight high and silent in fine, low and noisy in 

 stormy weather. Take wing with difficulty. Vigilant : a 

 sentinel watching whilst the whole troop sleeps standing upon 

 one leg, with the head under the wing, and giving alarm 

 at the slightest approach of danger. Venerated, even in some 

 civilized countries. 



Inhabit both continents. Analogous, perhaps even some- 

 what allied to the Gallinae : closely related to the genus 

 Psophia, by the subgenus Anthropoides, and might, perhaps, 

 be placed in the family Alectorides, thus rendering the 

 character of both families (Alectorides and Herodii) more 

 precise. 



224. Grus Americana, Temm. White; primaries black, with 

 black shafts ; whole crown and cheeks bald. 



Young tawny. 



Hooping Crane, Ardea americana, Wils. Am. Orn. vii. p. 20. 

 pi. 64. Jig. 3. adult male. 



Inhabits throughout North America and the West Indies; 

 probably also the north of Asia. 



225. Grus canadensis, Temm. Cinereous ; wings varied 

 with testaceous ; primaries brown, with white shafts ; anterior 

 portion of the head bald. 



Brown Crane, Grus canadensis, Nob. Am. Orn. Hi. adult 

 male. Grus fusca, Vieill. Ardea canadensis, L. 



