WHOOPING CRANE—Family Gruidae. 
204. Grus americana. 50 inches. 
This is the largest of the family in America. The plumage of 
the adults is pure white, with black primaries; the bare parts 
of the head and face are carmine; eyes yellow; bill and feet 
black. These great birds are not uncommon on the prairies of 
the interior of America. 
Nest. —Either upon the solid earth or marshy places on the 
bogs, the nest being very bulky, a mass of grass and weeds two 
or three feet in diameter. They lay two eggs of a brownish 
buff color blotched with shades of brown and gray (3.75x2.50). 
Range. —Interior of North America, breeding to the Arctic 
regions and wintering to the Gulf states and southward. 
LITTLE BROWN CRANE. 
205. Grus canadensis. 36 inches. 
This smaller variety is very much like the Sandhill Crane, 
but more brown, especially on the wings. When in flight this 
family always carry the neck fully extended, while the Herons 
draw the neck back between the wings. Unlike herons the 
young birds are born covered with down, and can run about as 
soon as they appear. 
Range. — In northern Canada, where it breeds. 
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