J . 



FLAMINGO. Phmnlcapterua roeeus. 



ANSERES. 



THE GOOSE, SWAN, DUCK, ETC. 



'HE well-known FLAMINGO brings us to the large and important order of Anseres, 

 of the goose tribe. 



The common Flamingo is plentiful in many parts of the Old World, and 

 may be seen in great numbers on the sea-shore, or the banks of large and 

 pestilential marshes, the evil atmosphere of which has no effect on these birds, 

 though to many animals it is most injurious, and to man a certain death. When 

 feeding the Flamingo bends its neck, and placing the upper mandible of the 

 curiously-bent beak on the ground or under the water, separates the nutritive portions with 

 a kind of spattering sound, like that of a duck when feeding. The tongue of the Flamingo 

 is very thick, and of a soft oily consistence, covered with curved spines pointing backwards, 

 and not muscular. 



