CRANES. 



57 



the Storks and Herons, but structurally they are very different. For 

 instance, the nostrils in all Cranes (except the aberrant Kagu) are 

 pervious, communicating freely with one another and not separated by 

 a bony partition, and the palate is sohizognathous — that is to say, the 

 maxillo-palatine bones are not united with one another or with the 

 vomer (p. 209). The young are hatched covered with down, and are 

 able to take care of themselves soon after leaving the egg. 



Family I. Aramid^. Limpkins. 



■ The Limpkins (598), including two American species, variously [Case 31.] 

 known as the Clucking Hen, Caran, Courlan, Lamenting Bird, or 

 Crazy Widow, on account of their oft-repeated piercing cry, ai'e large 

 long-billed birds forming a link between the Cranes and Rails. Osteo- 

 logically they are most nearly related to the foi'mer, but in their 

 external appearance, flight, and mode of life they resemble the latter. 

 T,he South- American Ijimpkiu (Aramiis scolopaceus) (598) ranges over 

 a large part of that continent, frequenting the beds of streams and 

 marshes. The nest, which is placed among the rushes, contains ten or 

 tvrelve Rail-like eggs. 



Family IL Rhinochetid.u. Kagus. 



The only representative of this family is the Kagu [Rfiinoc/ietus [Case 31.] 

 jubatus) (600), a native of New Caledonia. The shape of the bill and 

 crest give the bird a Heron-like appearance, which is emphasised by 

 the grej'^-coloured plumage. In a wild state its habits are said to be 

 nocturnal ; but in captivity it is active enough during the daytime, and 

 exhibits considerable Crane-like dancing-powers. 



Family III. Edrypygid^. Sun-Bitterns. (Plate XI.) 



These remarkable Rail-like birds are confined to Central and South [Case -31.] 

 Ainerica. They resemble the Kagus in many points of structure and 

 in possessing powder-down patches. Only two species are known, and 

 both possess remarkably handsome and variegated plumage. The 

 species exhibited [Eurypyga major) (599) is a native of Central 

 America and Colombia. It is mounted, with outspread wings, in a 

 position the bird is fond of assuming. The nest is placed in a tree, and 

 the nestlings, though covered with down, have to be fed by the parents 

 for some time before they can leave the nest. 



