Order  VII.  GRALLiE. 
The  second  Family, 
ARDEIDiE  or  Herons, 
have  the  Bill  more  or  less  long,  and  generally  much  compressed  on  the  sides,  with  the  culmen  curved  at 
the  tip,  which  is  sometimes  emarginated  and  acute  ;  the  Wings  moderate  and  rounded  ;  the  Tail  mostly 
short,  and  rounded  on  the  sides ;  the  Tarsi  lengthened  and  rather  slender ;  the  Toes  more  or  less  long, 
and  rather  slender,  with  the  outer  toe  longer  than  the  inner,  and  both  united  at  their  bases ;  the  hind  toe 
more  or  less  short,  and  generally  placed  on  the  same  level  with  the  anterior  toes. 
The  first  Subfamily, 
PSOPHINiE,  or  Trumpeters, 
have  the  Bill  moderate,  with  the  culmen  compressed  at  the  base,  vaulted  at  the  apical  portion,  and 
curved  to  the  tip,  which  overhangs  the  lower  mandible,  and  is  obtuse ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  a 
membranous  groove,  with  the  frontal  plumes  advancing  to  the  opening ;  the  Toes  moderate  or  short, 
and  the  two  outer  ones  united  at  their  bases  ;  the  hind  toe  short,  and  rather  elevated  above  the  base  of 
the  anterior  ones. 
Psophia  Linn.* 
Bill  short,  vaulted,  and  curved  at  the  tip,  which  is  prolonged  over  the  lower  mandible  and  obtuse ; 
the  sides  compressed  from  the  base  ;  the  nostrils  placed  in  a  large  membranous  groove,  anterior,  with 
the  opening  large  and  oblique.  Wings  short  and  concave,  with  the  first  three  quills  graduated ;  and  the 
fourth,  fifth,  and  sixth  equal  and  longest.  Tail  very  short,  and  graduated  on  the  sides.  Tarsi  very 
long,  rather  slender,  and  covered  with  transverse  scales.  Toes  moderate,  with  the  outer  toe  longer  than 
the  inner,  but  both  united  at  the  base,  especially  the  former ;  the  hind  toe  short,  elevated,  and  scarcely 
touching  the  ground :  the  claws  long,  compressed,  curved,  and  acute. 
The  species  are  found  in  the  tropical  parts  of  South  America,  inhabiting  the  forests,  where  they  search  for  grain  and 
fruits.  They  are  usually  discovered  by  the  peculiar  noise  that  they  emit,  which  has  procured  for  them  the  name  of 
trumpeters  ;  and  if  disturbed  they  seek  safety  by  running,  which  is  performed  quickly  and  is  much  assisted  by  means 
of  expanding  their  wings.   The  nest  is  usually  found  on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a  tree.  The  female  deposits  two  eggs. 
1.  P.  crepitans  Linn.  PI.  enl.  1 69. —  Grus  psophia  Pall.  I      3.  P.  leucoptera  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  t.  84. 
2.  P.  viridis  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  ii.  t.  83. 
*  Established  by  Linnaeus  in  1756. 
