Introduction. 



13 



closely. Neither do I perceive any very decided near kinship to the Oruidce 

 on the part either of JDicholophus or Psophia, both of which genera have 

 been currently regarded as being considerably akin to the cranes. As a 

 group the Ghuidos stand very much alone, and the more I have studied them 

 the more strongly impressed have I become with this opinion. The resem- 

 blance of most of the cranes to the trumpeter group of swans consists, not 

 only in the fact of the trachea undergoing a convolution within the keel of 

 the breast-bone, but also in the rusty edgings of the feathers of the young 

 birds, as likewise observed in very many of the ordinary Anatidae. 



[In relation to the affinities of the Grwidoe, Professor Newton remarks : — 

 (Encycl. Brit., art. Crane.) 



Though by many eystematists placed near or even among the Herons, there is no 

 doubt that the cranes have only a superficial resemblance and no real affinity to the 

 Ardeidee. In fact the Gruidce form a somewhat isolated group. Professor Huxley has 

 included them together with the JRallidcB in his GeranomorphcB ; but a more extended 

 view of their various characters would probably assign them rather as relatives of the 

 Bustards — not that it must be thought that the two families have not been for a very 

 long time distinct. Grus, indeed is a very ancient form, its remains appearing in the 

 Miocene of France and Greece, as well as in the Pliocene and Post -pliocene of North 

 America. In France, too, during the " Reindeer Period " there existed a huge species 

 — the O. primigenia of M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards —which has doubtless been long 

 extinct."] 



The Saceed Okajsb op Japan. 



