230 Descriptive Zoology. 



The Cranes and Rails. This group also consists of marsh 

 birds, usually with long legs and necks. The cranes are 

 large, the white or whooping crane having a very long 

 windpipe coiled in a hollow in the breastbone. The rails 

 are smaller birds, not larger than a hen. These are seldom 

 seen except in reedy swamps. The coot, or mud hen, is 

 common in marshes and reedy lakes ; it has a bill like a hen. 

 It is an excellent swimmer, but has lobed instead of webbed 

 feet. The flesh is rather rank ; but as ducks are becoming 

 more scarce, the coot is not unfrequently substituted. 



The Shore Birds. This order includes the snipes, plovers, 

 etc. Like the two preceding orders, its members usually 

 have long bills, neck, and legs. The three orders are often 

 spoken of together as the " waders." The long, slender bill 

 is often soft and sensitive at the tip, to fit it for probing in the 

 mud for worms. Several of the snipes are highly esteemed 

 by epicures, especially the woodcock and " jacksnipe." 



The plovers are found rather more on dry land ; they 

 have no hind toe. The golden plover is often seen in large 

 flocks during its migration, and nearly every one knows the 

 killdeer by the cry from which it gets its name. 



The Gallinaceous Birds. The Gallinae, or fowls, have 

 robust bodies, well-developed legs, strong, blunt bills and 

 claws. The hind toe is elevated, that is, is attached higher 

 than the other toes. They are poor fliers, having relatively 

 short wings. They are essentially ground birds, none 

 making their nests in trees. They feed chiefly on seeds 

 and grains, the crop and gizzard being well developed. 

 On account of their plump bodies and the excellent quality 

 of their flesh, they are valued as food. Other animals than 

 man prey upon them ; and as they live on the ground, 

 where prowling enemies can gain easy access to them, we 

 should expect to find them colored for protection ; and, ii 



