Jan., 1909. Birds of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 377 



91. Grus canadensis (Linn.). 

 Little Brown Crane. 



Distr.. Arctic and subarctic America, breeding from the Fur 

 Countries northward; south in winter into western United States. 



Adult: Resembles the next species, but may be recognized by 

 its small size, the wing (carpus to tip) being less than 19 inches, 

 and the bill less than 4 inches. 



While there is no record of the occurrence of this species in Illinois, 

 it has twice been taken in Wisconsin. Kumlien and Hollister state 

 (Birds of Wisconsin, 1903, p. 37) : "Rare straggler during spring and 

 late fall. During the latter part of March and the first part of April, 

 1894, a lone crane kept with a flock of Canada Geese on Rock Prairie, 

 near Johnstown, Rock County, for some days, and appeared to act as 

 chief sentinel while the geese fed in the fields, always flying away with 

 the geese when alarmed. This bird was killed on April 4, (1904) by 

 L. Kumlien and proved to be a fine plumaged male of this species — 

 and very small. It is now preserved in the Museum of the White- 

 water Normal School. At least one other that we are positive of was 

 shot in Dane Co., late in the fall of 1879, and came into the possession 

 of Thure Kumlien, frozen stiff. This specimen was formerly in the 

 Museum of Albion Academy." 



92. Grus mexicana (Mull.). 

 Sandhill Crane. 



Distr.: Southern half of North America; now rare on the Atlantic 

 coast, except in Georgia and Florida. Occurs in Wisconsin and 

 Illinois during the migrations but much less common than formerly. 



Adult: Front of head, bare, the skin, red; general plumage, brown- 

 ish gray, showing more or less buffy gray on the back. The sexes 

 are similar. 



Immature birds have the head feathered and general plumage, 

 buff gray. 



Length, 40 to 47; wing, 21 to 24; bill, 5 to 6; tarsus, 9 to 10. 



Its large size will distinguish it from the Little Brown Crane which 

 it resembles in color, the wing (carpal joint to tip) being always more 

 than 19 inches and the bill over 4.50 inches. 



Ridgway states (Orn. of Illinois, 1895, p. 100): "Sandhill Cranes 

 usually arrive in Illinois on their way northward during the latter 

 half of March, and return in October or November. Formerly large 

 numbers remained within the state to breed, biflt so thickly has the 



