194 



On a Secretion from the Stomach of the Flamingo. 

 By B. T. Lowne, M.R.C.S., &c. 



(Read May 28th, 1869.) 



Some time ago my attention was drawn to this subject by a 

 paragraph in the Field newspaper, from the pen of my friend Mr. 

 Bartlett, of the Zoological Gardens, and that gentleman kindly 

 gave me the slide I have brought for your inspection this evening, 

 with most of the information I possess upon the subject. 



The secretion in question when examined microscopically, is found 

 to consist of numerous oval blood corpuscles, together with some 

 beautiful arborescent crystals, probably chiefly chloride of sodium. 

 The following is the history of this slide, related as nearly as possible 

 in Mr. Bartlett's own words. 



The Flamingoes in the Zoological Gardens have frequently 

 shown signs of breeding, but although they have been supplied 

 with sand for their nests, they have never done so ; they have, how- 

 ever, taken considerable notice of a pair of Cariamas which are 

 kept in the same aviary, and seem to have mistaken these birds for 

 their own young. The Cariamas have a peculiar habit of bending 

 back their heads, opening their mouths, and at the same time utter- 

 ing a plaintive sound somewhat resembling that of young birds ; 

 this attracts the Flamingoes' attention, and Mr. Bartlett has often 

 has often seen them stand over the Cariamas and making a slight 

 undulatory movement of the head and neck, pour a reddish fluid 

 from their mouths into the beaks, and as frequently over the backs, 

 of their jJortege's : it is a small quantity of this fluid which I have 

 placed before you. 



My friend — and I know no more able, practical naturalist — 

 believes that this secretion, which he describes as a clear, red- 

 coloured, glutinous fluid, is the natural means with which the 

 Flamingo is endowed for feeding its young ; he thinks other food 

 may be supplied as well, but that this is an additional means of 

 nourishment. 



Many birds are endowed with a power of secretion in the crop 

 for special purposes. Sometimes the secretion is mixed with other 



