122 
The deep sonorous trumpeting of this bird is probably due to the great 
length of the windpipe that lies coiled up within the keel of the sternum in 
a complicated convolution (Figure 
148). The windpipe enters the fore- 
front of the keel and reaches directly 
back to the rear of the sternum, 
there it bends back sharply, enters 
into a double coil in the front end of 
keel, and emerges through the same 
orifice by which it entered. The 
folding and looping of the windpipe 
is much more complicated than 
either that of the Sandhill or Little 
Brown Cranes next described (com- 
pare with Figure 150). 
Figure 148 
Longitudinal section through sternum of 
Whooping Crane; scale, about i* 
205. Little Brown Crane, turkey. Grus canadensis. L, 36. Slightly smaller 
than the Sandhill Crane (See Plate XV A). 
Distinctions. The Little Brown Crane has no other recognizable distinction from the 
Sandhill than size (See Figure 149). A Crane under 39 inches, bill shorter than 5*5, and 
tarsus under 8*25, is probably a Little Brown. There is considerable variation, however, 
and some small Sandhills may measure below the above. 
Field Marks. Easily recognized as a Crane by dull, even grey or grey overwashed 
with rust colour; red crown and forehead, and in flight at any distance by flying with head 
and neck outstretched. Probably not separable from the Sandhill Crane by visual char- 
acters in life. Early arrivals in Canada in spring are likely to be Sandhills. Later ones 
migrating through in late May when the Sandhills are already nesting are more likely to 
be Little Browns. 
Nesting. On the ground in wet spots of the tundras. 
Distribution. The Arctics, west of Hudson bay south probably to Great Slave lake. 
Migrating through the prairies and British Columbia to Mexico. 
So similar to the Sandhill in habit, as hardly to warrant separate 
treatment. 
Sandhill Crane; 
Little Brown Crane; 
scale, J. 
206. Sandhill Crane, turkey. Grus mexicana. L, 40 and over. Plate XV A. 
Obviously a Crane by its bare forehead and even grey colour, or grey overwashed with 
rusty. To be confused only with the Little Brown Crane from which it differs only in size 
(See Figure 149). A Crane over 40 inches, bill longer than 5-5 inches, and tarsus over 
8-25 inches, is probably a Sandhill. There is considerable variation, however, and 
occasional small birds may measure in some features below the above. 
