. The natural history of the cranes. Cranes (Birds). Introduction. 13 closely. Neither do I perceive any very decided near kinship to the Oruidce on the part either of JDicholophus or Psophia, both of which genera have been currently regarded as being considerably akin to the cranes. As a group the Ghuidos stand very much alone, and the more I have studied them the more strongly impressed have I become with this opinion. The resem- blance of most of the cranes to the trumpeter group of swans consists, not only in the fact of the trachea undergoing a convolution within the keel of the breast-bo
. The natural history of the cranes. Cranes (Birds). Introduction. 13 closely. Neither do I perceive any very decided near kinship to the Oruidce on the part either of JDicholophus or Psophia, both of which genera have been currently regarded as being considerably akin to the cranes. As a group the Ghuidos stand very much alone, and the more I have studied them the more strongly impressed have I become with this opinion. The resem- blance of most of the cranes to the trumpeter group of swans consists, not only in the fact of the trachea undergoing a convolution within the keel of the breast-bone, but also in the rusty edgings of the feathers of the young birds, as likewise observed in very many of the ordinary Anatidae. [In relation to the affinities of the Grwidoe, Professor Newton remarks :— (Encycl. Brit., art. Crane.) Though by many eystematists placed near or even among the Herons, there is no doubt that the cranes have only a superficial resemblance and no real affinity to the Ardeidee. In fact the Gruidce form a somewhat isolated group. Professor Huxley has included them together with the JRallidcB in his GeranomorphcB; but a more extended view of their various characters would probably assign them rather as relatives of the Bustards—not that it must be thought that the two families have not been for a very long time distinct. Grus, indeed is a very ancient form, its remains appearing in the Miocene of France and Greece, as well as in the Pliocene and Post-pliocene of North America. In France, too, during the " Reindeer Period " there existed a huge species —the O. primigenia of M. Alphonse Milne-Edwards—which has doubtless been long ;]. The Saceed Okajsb op Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Blyth, Edward, 1810-1873; Tegetmeier, W. B. (W
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