PALUDICOIJE. 57 



account for its apparent absence from many places where it 

 should breed. It is another of the swamp loving birds, nest- 

 ing in the trees and bushes which grow in the swamps or in 

 wet places. 



Migration dates are lacking. It is likely that it winters 

 in some favorable places in the state. Observers should be 

 on the lookout for it. 



ORDER PALUDICOL^E. Cranes, Rails, Coots, Gallinules. 



SUBORDER GRUES. Cranes. 



Family GRUHLE. Cranes. 



All three of the North American cranes have been found 

 in Ohio, one of them having wandered from the west. In 

 general appearance the cranes show a marked resemblance 

 to the herons, but the space in front of the eye is covered 

 with bristles instead of being bare. While migrating they 

 fly in long files. They are not such strict marsh haunters 

 as the herons, but frequent uplands also. They are omnivo- 

 rous feeders, often swallowing indigestible matter and dis- 

 gorging it after a time. Frogs, lizards, snakes, field-mice 

 and probably insects, and vegetable food are eaten with 

 equal relish apparently. 



68. (204.) GRUS AMERICANA (Linn.). 238. 

 Whooping Crane. 



Synonyms: Ardea americana. 



White Crane. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 165. 



The reports of the occurrence of this bird come from the 

 western half of the state, where it appears to be a rare mi- 

 grant. 



I find no dates of migration. Judging from the migrations 

 in Iowa at nearly the same latitude, they should be seen 

 passing northward in a long thin line during the last week 

 in March and the first week in April. 



