GRUTD.E. 661 



to be modified Grallce. Blyth considers that they approximate to 

 the Pteroclidm in appearance and habit. They frequent upland 

 plains and resemble Ptarmigans in their habits. Thinocoris, 

 according to Darwin, partakes both of the character of the Snipe 

 and the Quail. Chionis alba, the Kelp-pigeon, has a very curi- 

 ous short thick bill, the nostrils concealed by a sort of sheath 

 that covers the base of the bill, and hence it is called the Sheath- 

 bill. It is pure white, lives on the Coasts of Australia and New 

 Zealand, feeding on molluscs, chiefly limpets, and Crustacea, and 

 is frequently met with far out at sea. 



Fam. Gruidje — Cranes. 



Bill short, stout, straight, slightly cleft, somewhat like that of 

 the Bustards ; legs scutellated ; wings ample ; of large size, with 

 pale grey or white plumage, and with a long neck. 



The Cranes have usually been placed among the Cultirostres, 

 (the Herons and Storks) but their totally different habits, anatomy, 

 and nidiiication, and their young running from the Qgg, demand 

 their removal. (Since the above was penned, I have seen the 

 abstract of a paper by Mr. W. K. Parker, read before the 

 Zool. Society, which, I am glad to see, corroborates these views ; 

 he states that " the Crane is a gigantic specialized aberrant of the 

 Pressirostral family.") They are externally somewhat allied to 

 the Bustards, whilst their internal anatomy may be said to be 

 more that of Plovers. They are birds of very large size with 

 long necks and legs, feed much on grain, a few also on insects, 

 frogs, and fish. The head of several is more or less devoid 

 of feathers, others are beautifully crested. Their figure is ele- 

 gant, and their motions graceful ; they fly with outstretched 

 necks. They have a very loud, fine, trumpet-like call. Many are 

 migratory, and highly gregarious ; and they nidificate on the 

 ground. 



The sternum is something like that of the Heron, with one rather 

 short fissure ; the furcula is anchylosed to the keel. The caeca are 

 highly developed, and the stomach is very muscular. The trachea? 

 are elongated, enter the ridge of the sternum, and are convoluted 

 within it. 



