[139.] if Grus A mericana. (Temm.) Whooping Crane.
Genus, Grus, Pallas.
The Hooping Crane, from Hudson's Bay. Edwards, pi. 132.
Ardea Americana. F o r s t . Phil. Trans., lxii., p. 409, No. 37-
Hooping Crane (Ardea Americana'). Penn. Arct. Zool., ii., p. 442, No. 339 ; and App, p. 66.
Whooping Crane (Ardea Americana). Wils., viii., p. 20, pi. 64, f. 3.
Grus Americana. Temm. Analyse, p. c. Bonap. Syn., No. 224.
Wapow oocheechawk. Cree Indians.
This stately bird frequents every part of the fur-countries, though not in such
numbers as the Brown Crane. It migrates in flocks, performing its journeys in
the night, and at such an altitude, that its passage is known only by the peculiarly
shrill screams which it utters. A few pass the winter in the southern parts
of the United States; but the greater part go still farther south. It rises with
difficulty from the ground, flying low for a time, and affording a fair mark to
the sportsman ; but, if not entirely disabled by the shot, fights with great determination,
and can inflict very severe wounds with its formidable bill. We have
known instances , of the wounded bird putting the fowler to flight, and fairly
driving him off the field. When fat its flesh is well-tasted, though inferior to
that of the Brown Crane. Its eggs are nearly as big as those of the Swan, and
of a bluish-white colour, with patches of brown. The wing-bone of this bird
is converted by the natives into a kind of flute.
DESCRIPTION
Of a male, killed on the Saskatchewan, May 7, 1827*
Colour, pure white, except the spurious wiDg, primaries, and seven primary coverts,
which are brownish-black: four or five of the secondaries are speckled with brown. Occiput
and an angular patch beneath the eye clothed with blackish-blue feathers. Bill wax-yellow.
Irides gamboge-yellow. Legs bluish-black.
Form.—Bill strong, straight, tapering, slightly compressed, and very acute; edges of both
mandibles crenated near the points. Top of the head nearly to the occiput, and the posterior
part of the jaws to beneath the eyes, covered with a dull orange-coloured membrane, clothed
with black hairs. Circumference of the eye feathered. Third quill feather the longest; first,
second, and fifth nearly equal to it. Barbs of the tertiaries long, silky, and detached. Thighs
and legs thick and strong. Outer and middle toes connected at the base by a web: the hind
toe is short.—The orange-coloured membrane is paler in the female.
Dimensions
Of the male.
Inch. Lin. ' Inch. Lin. Inch. Lin.
Length, total . „ 48 0 Length of bill to rictus . 6 0 Length of tarsus . . 12 0
„ of wing . . 25 0 „ of bare thigh. . 6 0 Height on its legs (bill and
„ of bill above . . 6 0 „ of feathered thigh 8 0 neck stretched upwards) 62 0
GRALLATORES.
[140.] 2. G r u s C a n a d e n s is . (Temm.) Brown Crane.
mSHBrnmmfHBffiF Ge Brown n u s and , Grus, Ash-P coloured allas. Crane. E uwabds, pi. 133.
Ardea Canadensis. E o bs t. Phil. Trane., g S p. 409, No. 36:. m n p. 353 No. 14. T em m . Analyse, p. c. B onap. Syn., No. 225.
Ochee-chak, Cube Ikdiahs. Tattlee-aruok, EsauraAux.
This Crane visits all parts of the fur-countries in summer up to the shores of
the Arctic Sea. Its eggs are oil-green, irregularly but rather
with yellowish-brown and umber; the spots confluent and dark on the thicken.
Its flesh is good food, resembling that of the Swan {Cygms buccinator) in flavour.
d e s c r ip t io n
Of a specimen, H ied at Great Slave Lake, May 15, 1822.
Colour, yellowish-grey; dorsal plumage glossed with ferruginous; neck ^ a s h -
coloured- cheeks and throat brownish-white. Greater quills blackish-brown, then shafts
white. All the upper surface of the head before and between the eyes, and the lores, covere
with a red skin, pretty thickly clothed with black hairs. Bill blackish-brown.
■ M B Jndible B l straight beneath; ridge ofthe "PP“ dlble^
to the point; the commissure curving gently downwards at the tip. at s cons
curved, rounded beneath; middle one deeply and acutely grooved extenorly.
Length, total
,, of tail
„ of wing
Dimensions.
Lin Inch. Lin.
0 Length of bill above . » 4 6
0 „ of bill to rictus . 4 3
0 of naked thigh. • 4 6
Length of tarsus .
„ of middle toe .
of its nail .
Individuals vary considerably in size, particularly in the length of the bilL
I. A r d e a H e r o d ia s . (Linn.) The Great Heron.
Red-shouldered Heron (Ardea Hadeemai). P m Arct Zoet, n„ p. 444,
Great Heron (Ardea Herodias). Wils., vui., p. 2 , p , •
Ardea Herodias. BoniP. Spi; No. 226.
m bad is§ 3 1 w Bm S m m ffig S K .