DIRECTORY TO BIRDS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. Ill 



breeding season and in summer the species is social and fre- 

 quents ponds and pools in marshes, swamps and in the pine 

 woods, but in winter are apt to live in thick swamps, and 

 are then more solitary ; in flight, head and neck outstretched, 

 wing-beats, slow, at all seasons rise high in air and circle 

 about for a long time. Perch on trees, especially at night. 

 Common. Has occurred in Mass. 



K. CK-AJVES. Grues. 



Differ from T in having the hind toe smaller and eleva- 

 ted; front portion of head only ( in our species ) destitute of 

 feathers. Nests, placed on the ground in fresh-water marsh- 

 es; eggs, one or two, yellowish-brown. Young, leave the 

 nest early and follow the parents. Not very social. 



A. CRANES. Gruiclae. 



Characters as above. 



a. Grus. Crying Cranes. 



Head destitute of feathers on front part and covered with 

 a scaly skin. Emit loud, harsh, continuous gobbling cries. 

 Many species dance with half raised wings. 



1. SANDHILL CRANE, G. MEXICANA. 41.00; bill, 5.00; 

 slaty-blue throughout, primaries, broVnish ; bill and feet, 

 Fig. 128. 



K, A, a, 1. 1-4. 



black ; naked space about head, lake ; iris, ruby-red, fig. 128 

 Young, more or less tinged with yellowish above ; iris, yellow 



