CRANES. 57 



the Storks and Herons, but structurally they are very different For 

 instance, the nostrils iu all Cranes (except the aberrant Kagu) are 

 pervious, communicating freely with one another, and not separated by 

 a bony partition (see p. 144), and the palate is schizognathous — that is 

 to say, the maxillo-palatine bones are not united with one another or 

 with the vomer (p. 145). The young are hatched covered with down, 

 and are able to take care of themselves soon after leaving the egg. 



Family I. Aramid^. Limpkins. 



The Limpkins (598), including two American species, variously [Case 31.] 

 known as the Clucking Hen, Caran, Courlan, Lamenting Bird, or 

 Crazy Widow, on account of their oft-repeated piercing cry, are large 

 long-billed birds forming a link between the Cranes and Rails. Osteo- 

 logically they are most nearly related to the former, but in their 

 external appearance, flight, and mode of life they resemble the latter. 

 The South-American Limpkin (Aramus scolopaceus) (598) ranges over 

 a large part of that continent, frequenting the beds of streams and 

 marshes. The nest, which is placed among the rushes, contains ten or 

 twelve Rail-like eggs. 



Family II. Rhinochetid/e. Kagus. 



The only representative of this family is the Kagu [Rhinochetus [Case 31.] 

 jubatus) (800), a native of New Caledonia. The shape of the bill and 

 crest give the bird a Heron-like appearance, which is emphasised by 

 the grey- coloured plumage. In a wild state its habits are said to be 

 nocturnal; but in captivity it is active enough during the daytime, and 

 exhibits considerable Crane-like dancing-powers. 



Family III. EuRYPYGiOiB. Sun-Bitterns. (Plate XL) 



These remarkable Rail-like birds are confined to Central and South [Case 31.] 

 America. They resemble the Kagus in many points of structure and 

 in being provided with powder-down patches. Only two species are 

 known, and both possess remarkably handsome and variegated plumage. 

 The species exhibited {Eurypyga major) (599) is a native of Central 

 America and Colombia. It is mounted, with outspread wings, in a 

 position the bird is fond of assuming. The nest is placed in a tree, and 

 the nestlings, though covered with down, have to be fed by the parents 

 for some time before they can leave the nest. 



