CHAPTER XXI 



THE BIRDS (Continued) 



THE Rails, Coots, Moorhens, Bustards, Sun-bitterns, and Cranes 

 are grouped together by many authorities in the order Gruiformes, 

 Although the various tribes differ considerably one from another, 

 they all agree in having no true crop, and there are several other 

 anatomical points of resemblance. Many are waders, others 

 water birds, while some the trumpeters, bustards, and land-rails 

 are inland birds. The Rails are a large family of somewhat similar 

 form, species of which are found in almost all parts of the world. The 

 Land-rail or Corncrake (Crex pratensis) is a summer visitor in the 

 British Isles, frequenting long grass and cultivated land, where 

 from its shy habits it is seldom seen, though in the evening its 

 grating cry of " crek-crek " is often heard. The Coot and the Moor- 

 hen are both members of the Rail family. They are both familiar 

 British birds, and often confused one with another ; they may, 

 however, be easily distinguished by their colouring the Coot 

 is dark grey on the back, and has a white shield on the front of 

 its head, and the Moorhen is olive-green above, and has a red 

 frontal shield. ^ ; 



The Cranes are amongst the largest of wading birds. They 

 frequent marshy districts and open plains, and are most abundant 

 in North-East Asia, though species are to be found in several 

 other parts of the globe. Except in the breeding season Cranes 

 are gregarious, and are often seen in flocks in corn and rice fields, 

 in forest clearings, or open country ; in the winter months the 

 northern species migrate southwards. They are most amusing 

 in their ways striding about in a dignified manner, or in the 

 springtime leaping with outstretched wings into the air, bowing 

 to the ground, and performing the most remarkable antics and 

 dances. Amongst many varieties are the Great Wattled Crane 

 (Grus carunculata) of South Africa, distinguished by having two 



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