290 BIRDS. GRALLATORK*'. 



Gen. 9. GRUS, Pallas. Ardea, Lin. 



Bill as long as, or longer than the head, strong, straight, com- 

 pressedj obtuse towards the tip ; lateral base of the mandible 

 deeply sulcated, ridge elevated ; nostrils in the middle of the 

 bill closed behind by a membrane ; region of the eyes and 

 base of the bill naked and papillous, or covered with feathers ; 

 legs long, with a large naked space above the knees, the mid- 

 dle fore toe united to the outer by a rudimentary membrane, 

 the inner divided ; hind toe articulated higher on the tarsus, 



Cranes are periodical migrants, frequenting marshy places, and rarely the sea- 

 shore, subsisting on herbs, seeds, worms, frogs, slugs, &c. There are several spe- 

 cies, but only one indigenous to Europe. In most the trachea of the male is of a 

 particular construction, having several convolutions. 



G. cinerea, Bechst. (Ardea grus, Lin.) Common Crane. Body 

 cinereous ; throat, fore part of the neck, and occiput dusky ; fore- 

 head and space between the eye and bill with black hairs ; top 

 of the head red and naked ; some of the secondary quills arched, 

 long, and with divided webs. 3 feet 8 or 10 inches long. In- 

 habits Europe and Asia Shaw, xi. pi. 40. 



These birds inhabit Europe and Asia, and in autumn regularly migrate in flocks 

 to the southern parts of Asia and Africa. They were formerly not uncommon in 

 the fenny districts of England. In France they make their appearance from Sep- 

 tember to November, but only as passengers southward ; and they return in March 

 and April, on their way to the north, which is their breeding station. In winter 

 they resort in crowds to Egypt, and the warmer parts of India. In their migratory 

 expeditions they fly very high, and arrange themselves in a triangular form, the bet- 

 ter to cleave the air. When the wind freshens, and threatens to break their array, 

 they collect their forces into a circle ; and they adopt the same disposition when 

 menaced by the eagle. They travel chiefly in the night, and betray their course by 

 their loud screams. During their nocturnal voyages, the leader frequently calls to 

 rally his troops, and to point out the track, and the signal is repeated by the flock, 

 each individual answering, as if to give notice that it follows, and keeps its rank. 

 Their cries during the day are conceived to forebode rain, and their noisy tumultuous 

 screams to announce a storm. The flesh of the Crane was prized by the Romans as 

 a delicacy ; and it was also formerly used at table in England. 



G. pavonina, Tern. (Ardea pavonitia, Lin. Anthropoides, Vieill.) 

 Balearic Crane. Bluish, with the head black, adorned with an 

 erect hairy yellowish crest ; wings white ; tail black. 2 feet 9 

 inches long. Inhabits Africa. Edw. pi. 192, 



G. virgo, Tern. (Ardea virgo, Lin.) Numidian Crane. Body blue- 

 gray, the head and tip of the primary quills black ; behind the 

 eyes, on each side, a recurved, elongated, and feathery white 

 crest ; feathers of the breast long and pendant. 3 feet 3 inches 

 long. Inhabits Asia and Africa. Edw. pi. 134. 



Gen. 10. ARAMUS, Vieill. Grus, Cuv. 



Bill longer than the head, straight, hard, inclined at the point, 

 which is gibbous ; lower mandible tumid towards the mid- 

 dle, angular, pointed ; nostrils lateral, distant from the base 

 of the bill ; legs long ; toes entirely divided, the hind one 

 articulated posteriorly ; third wing-feather longest. 





