134 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 
Orper PALUDICOL4.—Tue Cranes, Rats, 
AND CouRLANS. (Page 2.) 
Families. 
a’, Size very large (wing 17.50, or more); head partly naked and warty in adult, or 
else with ornamental plumes; hind toe small, much elevated; middle too 
less than half as long as the tarsus. (Suborder Grues.) 
Gruidz. (Page 134.) 
a, Size medium to very small (wing less than 14.50); head entirely feathered, or 
else with only a frontal “shield” naked; hind toe lengthened (nearly as long 
as the first division of the middle toe), inserted nearly on a level with the 
anterior toes; middle toe nearly as long as the tarsus. (Suborder falli.) 
6’. Wing 11.00-14.20; first quill shorter than seventh, its inner web very narrow, 
except near end; tail-feathers well developed, firm. 
Aramidz. (Page 135.) 
6. Wing less than 10.00; first quill longer than seventh (usually longer than 
sixth), its inner web normal; tail-feathers almost rudimentary (nearly 
hidden by the coverts), soft ; bill and feet very variable in form. 
Rallidz. (Page 136.) 
Famity GRUIDA£.—Tue Cranes, (Page 134.) 
Genera. 
(Characters same as those given for the Family) .......... . Grus. (Page 134.) 
Grenus GRUS Pautas. (Page 134, pl. XXXIX., figs. 1, 2.) 
Species. 
(West on ground in marsh or wet meadow. Eggs pale olive or olive-buffy, 
spotted with brown, reddish brown, and purplish gray.) 
a, Tarsus 11.00, or more; bill stout, its depth through the base about one-fourth 
the length of the culmen; distance from posterior end of nostril to base of 
upper mandible much more than one-half the distance from anterior border 
of nostril to tip of upper mandible. Adult with plumage white, and cheeks 
naked. 
Adult: Plumage pure white, the quills black. Young: General color 
white, but this overlaid by patches of light cinnamon or rusty, the 
upper parts chiefly of this color; head entirely feathered. Length 
