94 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



The Whooping Crane winters in the Gulf States, 

 but breeds farther north. It is a large white bird, 

 with primaries, bill, and legs, black, top of head and 

 sides of throat red. 



The Sandhill Crane is a smaller form also found 

 in the Southern States, especially in the pine barrens 

 of Florida, some distance inland from the coast. The 

 body colour is a beautiful bluish-grey, the top of the 

 head a soft, deep red. The bill of Cranes is used both 

 as a digging instrument and a weapon of defence, and 

 with it they also make a strange clattering noise, when 

 excited. The Sandhill digs enormous holes in the 

 ground in search of food. Its voice is very loud and 

 resonant, and may be heard at a great distance as 

 the bird flies from place to place. 



The Little Brown Crane is a smaller and rarer 

 species than either of the preceding. It closely re- 

 sembles the Sandhill Crane. 



Two very beautiful species found in Africa and fre- 

 quently seen in captivity, are the Demoiselle, a small 

 bluish-grey bird, with long feathers trailing from the 

 tail, and the Crowned Crane, remarkable for the tuft 

 of feathers on its head. See Plate 34, Fig. 197. 



Included among the Crane-like birds, although 

 bearing a strong resemblance in both appearance and 

 character to the Hawk tribe, is the Seriema, of South 

 America. It is not unlike the Secretary-bird of 

 Africa, and feeds upon snakes, killing them in much 

 the same manner, by pounding them with its feet until 

 they are reduced to a pulp. It also eats small mam- 

 mals, such as mice and rats, and further varies its diet 

 with fruits. Although able to fly well, it lives on 



