GRALLyE. 
237 
That of Europe (//. ostralegiis, Lin.) is commonly termed Sea-pie, from its black and white plumag'e; the belly, 
throat, and base of the wings and tail, being of the latter colour ; beak and feet bright orange-red. [There are 
several more,] 
We shall place near the Plovers and Oyster-catchers 
The Coursers {Cursorius, Lacepede ; Tachydromus, Illiger), — 
The beak of which, more slender, hut equally conical, is arcuated, without any groove, and moderately 
cleft ; the wings are shorter, and the legs more elevated, and terminated by three toes, without any 
thumb or palmature. [They approximate the Bustards in appearance and habits, and have a similar 
large membranous stomach ; but do not change colour with the seasons, and are very much smaller ; 
are peculiar also to the eastern hemisphere]. 
One has been met with, but very rarely, in France and England, which is indigenous to the north of Africa, the 
Cream-coloured Courser (C. isabellinus, Meyer), of a pale fulvous colour above, white beneath, [the young trans- 
versely rayed above with narrow dusky lines. There are several others.] 
As far as can be judged from the exterior, it is here that we should also place 
The Cariama {Microdactylus, Geoff. ; DicholopTius, Illiger) — 
Which has a longer beak, more curved, and cleft as far as the eye, which imparts somewhat of the 
physiognomy and disposition of the Birds of Prey, approaching also a little to the Herons. The legs, 
scutellated and very long, terminate in thi-ee short toes, a little palmated at the base, together with a 
thumb that does not reach the ground. 
[This curious bird is most nearly related to the Guans, and should rank in the Poultry order : the 
affinity is particularly apparent when it is seen alive. In its anatomy, it chiefly differs from the Galli- 
naceous type in wanting the appendage to the furcula, which latter is otherwise similar to that of a 
Fowl, and in having the sternal emarginations much less deep. It is essentially a Poultry bird with 
the long legs of a Crane ; but differs in its short and elevated hind-toe from the Carassows and Guans]. 
We are acquainted with one species only, from South America, (M. cristatus, Geoff. ; Palamedea cristata, Gm. ; 
Sana, d’Az.), which surpasses the Heron in size, and subsists on Lizards and insects, which it hunts for on high 
grounds and along the borders of forests. Plumage yellowish-grey, waved with brown ; some thinly-barbed fea- 
thers at the base of the beak, forming a slight crest, which is thrown backward. It flies but seldom, and then 
badly ; and its loud voice resembles that of a young Turkey. As its flesh is esteemed, it has been domesticated in 
several places. 
The family of 
CULTRIROSTRES 
Is known by a long, thick, and stout beak, which is most generally trenchant and pointed, 
and is almost entirely composed of the birds comprehended in the genus Ardea of Linnaeus. 
In a great number of species, the trachea of the male [and of the female also] forms various 
curves : their coeca are short [or moderate], and the true Herons have even only one. 
We subdivide it into three tribes, the Cranes, the Herons properly so designated, and the 
Storks. 
The first tribe forms but one great genus, that of 
The Cranes {Grus, Cuv.), — 
Which have a straight beak, but slightly cleft ; the membranous groove of the nostrils, which is large 
and concave, occupying nearly half its length. Their legs are scutellated, with toes of moderate length ; 
the external but slightly palmated, and the thumb barely reaching to the ground. A more or 
less considerable portion of the head and neck is bare of feathers in nearly all of them. Their habits 
are more terrene, and their nourishment is derived more from vegetables, than in the following 
genera : they have accordingly a muscular gizzard, and tolerably long coeca. The inferior larynx is 
provided with only one muscle at each side. 
At the head of the genus we place, as Pallas has already done. 
The Agami {Psqphia, Lin.), — 
Which has a shorter beak than the others, the head and neck invested merely with down, and the 
circumference of the eyes naked. They live in the woods, and subsist on grain and fruits. 
