62 PALUDICOL^; : Cranes, Rails, etc. 



GRUIDvE (Family Cranes) inhabit broad, open marshes and 

 extensive fields where they may detect the distant approach of 

 danger. Migrations are usually performed in large flocks that 

 sometimes hesitate in their course to circle and sail for a time, 

 apparently to relieve the monotony of direct flight; then the 

 course will be resumed with the flock strung out in a line with 

 long necks extended. 



LITTLE BROWN CRANE 



(205. Grus canadensis) 36 in. 



Entirely brownish gray. The long, drooping secondaries and 

 relatively short bill instantly distinguish this bird from the 

 Great Blue Heron. 



Carries neck at full length in flight (Herons double theirs). 



Sometimes heard when at so great a height as to be almost 

 invisible. Their trumpeted, sputtering "kro-ou-ow" is always 

 a thrilling sound. 



FAMILY RAILS, etc. 

 LIGHT-FOOTED RAIL 



(210.1. Rallus levipes) 16 in. 



Gray-brown; feathers of upper parts dark brown centrally; 

 flanks finely barred brown and white; throat white. 



Under the stress of emergency, as when caught by high tides 

 flooding its home marsh, this Rail swims and dives surprisingly 

 well. Almost submerged, it will hide behind a bit of floating 

 trash and wait for the tide to recede. 



VIRGINIA RAIL 



(212. Rallus virginianus) 10 in. 



Whole upper parts rich brown, feathers dusky centrally; sides 

 of head slaty-gray; throat white; neck and breast brown, un- 

 marked; flanks black-and-white-barred. 



Immatures, blackish above. Downy young entirely black. 



In general shape this species resembles the Light-footed, but 

 is hardly half its size, and habitat is totally different. 



Like all the Rails, a skulker by habit, and occasional birds 

 seen are poor indicators of its relative abundance. 



