Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME V.
FAMILY XXXIV.--GRUINAE. CRANES.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, depressed at the base,
compressed toward the end, rather obtuse. Nostrils sub-basal, lateral oblong.
Head rather small, oblong; neck long; body large, compressed. Legs long and
slender; tibia bare at the lower part; tarsus somewhat compressed, anteriorly
scutellate; toes rather long, first short and somewhat elevated; claws obtuse.
Plumage full and rather compact. Wings broad, convex, the inner secondaries
elongated and decurved; tail short, rounded.