332 BIRDS. 



We subdivide it into three tribes, the Cranes, the true Herons, and the 

 Swans. The first tribe forms but one great genus. 



Grus, Lin. 



The Cranes have a straight bill, but slightly cleft; the membranous 

 fossae of the nostrils, which are large and concave, occupy nearly one half 

 of its length. Their legs are scutellated, and the toes moderate; the ex- 

 ternal ones but slightly palmate, and the thumb hardly reaching to the 

 ground. A more or less considerable portion of the head and neck is 

 destitute of feathers in nearly all of them. Their habits are more terres- 

 trial, and their food more vegetable than those of the following genera: 

 consequently, they have a muscular gizzard, and long cceca. Their lower 

 larynx has but one muscle on each side. At the head of this genus we 

 place with Pallas*, 



PsopHiA, Lin. 



Or the Trumpeters, which have a shorter bill than the other species; the 

 head and neck are merely invested with down, and the circumference of 

 the eye is naked. They live in the woods, and feed on grain and fruit. 

 The species best known is from South America, and is called the 

 Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans, L.), Enl. 169, from its faculty of 

 producing a low deep sound, which at first seems to proceed from 

 the anus. It is the size of a capon; the plumage is blackish, which, 

 on the breast, reflects a brilliant violet hue ; the mantle is ash-co- 

 loured, shaded above with fawn colour. It is a very grateful bird, 

 and as susceptible of attachment to man as a dog. It is even said 

 to be so docile as to take the command of the poultry yard. It flies 

 badly, but runs fast, and builds on the ground at the foot of a tree. 

 Its flesh is eaten f. 

 Certain Cranes, foreign to Europe, with a shorter bill than is found in 

 those that belong to it, should come next. 



Ardea pavonia, L. ; Grue couronne, Enl. 265, and the young, 

 Vieill. 257. (The Crowned Crane). Figure, light and graceful; 

 four feet in height ; ash-coloured, black belly, fawn-coloured rump, 

 and white wings ; its naked cheeks are tinged with white, and a 

 bright rose-colour, and its head is crowned with a bundle of yellow, 

 slender feathers, which it opens and displays at pleasure. This 

 beautiful bird, whose voice resembles the clang of a trumpet, in- 

 habits the western coast of Africa, where it is frequently kept in the 

 huts, and fed on grain. In a wild state it frequents inundated places, 

 and preys on small fish. 



Ardea virgo; Demoiselle de Numidie, Enl. 246. (The Numi- 



• Spicil. Zool. IV, 3. _ 



X At Cayenne, according to BarrSre, it is called Agami; Caracara in the Antilles, 

 according to Dutertre. As the name of Trumpeter is also given in Africa to a Calao, 

 Fermin (Descrip. de Surin.) absurdly transfers to the Agami the character of both 

 bills at once. The Agami was for a long while confounded with the Macucagua of 

 Marcgrave, which is a Tinamou. Psophia is a name coined by Barrfire from the 

 Greek Psopheo, to make a noise. 



Add, Psophia viridis, Spix, 83, and Ps. leucoptera, Id. 84. 



