332 BIRDS. 
We subdivide it into three tribes, the Cranes, the true Herons, ard the 
Swans. The first tribe forms but one great genus. 
Grus, Lin. 
The Cranes have a straight bill, but slightly cleft; the membranous 
fosse of the nostrils, which are large and concave, occupy nearly one half 
of its length. Their legs are scutellated, and the toes moderate; the ex- 
ternal ones but slightly palmate, and the thumb hardly reaching to the 
ground. A more or less considerable portion of the head and neck is 
destitute of feathers in nearly all of them. ‘Their habits are more terres- 
trial, and their food more vegetable than those of the following genera: 
consequently, they have a muscular gizzard, and long ceca. Their lower 
larynx has but one muscle on each side. At the head of this genus we 
place with Pallas*, 
Psopnia, Lin. 
Or the Trumpeters, which have a shorter bill than the other species; the 
head and neck are merely invested with down, and the circumference of 
the eye is naked. They live in the woods, and feed on grain and fruit. 
The species best known is from South America, and is called the 
Trumpeter (Psophia crepitans, L.), Enl. 169, from its faculty of 
producing a low deep sound, which at first seems to proceed from 
the anus. It is the size of acapon; the plumage is blackish, which, 
on the breast, refiects a brilliant violet hue; the mantle is ash-co- 
loured, shaded above with fawn colour. It is a very grateful bird, 
and as susceptible of attachment to man as a dog. It is even said 
to be so docile as to take the command of the poultry yard. It flies 
badly, but runs fast, and builds on the ground at the foot of a tree. 
Its flesh is eaten}. 
Certain Cranes, foreign to Europe, with a shorter bill than is found in 
those that belong to it, should come next. 
Ardea pavonia, L.; Grue couronné, Enl. 265, and the young, 
Vieill. 257. (The Crowned Crane). Figure, iight and graceful ; 
four feet in height; ash-coloured, black belly, fawn-coloured rump, 
and white wings; its naked cheeks are tinged with white, and a 
bright rose-colour, and its head is crowned with a bundle of yellow, 
slender feathers, which it opens and displays at pleasure. This 
beautiful bird, whose voice resembles the clang of a trumpet, in- 
habits the western coast of Africa, where it is frequently kept in the 
huts, and fed on grain. Ina wild state it frequents inundated places, 
and preys on small fish. 
Ardea virgo; Demoiselle de Numidie, Fn. 246. (The Numi- 
* Spicil. Zool. IV, 3. 
t~ At Cayenne, according to Barrére, it is called Agami; Caracara in the Antilles, 
according to Dutertre. As the name of Trumpeter is also given in Africa to a Calao, 
Fermin (Descrip. de Surin.) absurdly transfers to the Agami the character of both 
bills at once. The Agami was for a long while confounded with the Macucagua of 
Marcgrave, which is a Tinamou. Psophia is a name coined by Barrére from the 
Greek Psopheo, to make a noise. 
Add, Psophia viridis, Spix, 83, and Ps. leucoptera, Id. 84. 
