PH(ENICOPTERID^ — THE FLAMINGOES — PHCENICUPTERUS. 417 



without the smallest regard either for their comfort or their lives. On the return 

 of the party to Indian Key the dead birds, which were all in a very fat condition, 

 were distributed, and the living ones confined in a ten-pin alley. 



Dr. Wurdemann states that there must have been not less than five hundred 

 Flamingoes assembled where the last were captured. They appeared to congregate 

 in these shallow waters, feeding on a small shellfish having the form of a clam, 

 which they fished up from the muddy banks. No other food was found in their 

 stomachs. They were always seen in flocks, and their notes sounded at a distance 

 like those of Wild Geese. When captured, they uttered a single low note like that 

 of a Crane when suddenly started. 



While in confinement one Flamingo would utter a cry like that of the Domestic 

 Goose calling for its mate, and tliis cry would be answered by another bird in notes 

 similar to those of a Gander. The captives were fed on rice and fresh water, but 

 would not eat so long as they were watched. Of eight birds dissected by Dr. Wiirde- 

 mann only one was found to be a female, and he inferred that the females moult 

 earlier than the males. The helpless condition to which the Flamingo is reduced 

 when moulting makes it an easy prey to its enemies, and must eventually lead to 

 its extermination. In confinement it becomes so tame as to feed from the hand of its 

 captor. 



Wilson, copying from Dr. Latham's " Synopsis," gives an account of the breeding 

 of this bird which, though long considered as trustworthy, is now known to be erro- 

 neous. The Flamingo does not build up a small hillock-like nest, hollowed at the 

 top, on which it can sit, resting either foot on the ground. The nest is raised but 

 slightly above the surface, and only just enough to protect it from the danger of 

 being overflowed by the water of the marshes in which it is placed. 



Mr. J. L. Hurdis states that a party from Bermuda, in July, 1850, visited the 

 Bahamas, where they found the Flamingoes in great numbers. This party visited 

 Lake Eosa and waded to some of the islands, the water being only knee-deep. On 

 one of these islands there were at least two hundred of these birds, too shy to admit 

 of a near approach. Many young Flamingoes were discovered, some of which were 

 run down and captured. These had an awkward gait, but scuttled along at a good 

 pace. They were in the gray plumage, of different stages of groAvth. Mr. Hollis — 

 one of the party — stated that he saw several of the nests of these birds, and obtained 

 some of their eggs. These all proved to be addled, and to have been thrown out by 

 the parent birds. He speaks of them as being white, and about the size of the egg 

 of the Common Goose, The nests were composed of mud and sticks, more or less 

 raised, on account of the surrounding water. The highest was not more than nine 

 inches above the ground, while many others were nearly level with it. The surface 

 was hollowed out, and only capable of holding two eggs, 



Mr. Audubon mentions meeting. May 7, 1832, while sailing from Indian Key, a 

 flock of Flamingoes advancing in "Indian file," with spread Avings, outstretched 

 necks, and long legs directed backward. These birds were very shy, and kept at a 

 distance, so that he was not able, during his stay in Florida, to procure a single 

 specimen. He states that these Flamingoes have been met with along the eastern 

 coast to as far as Charleston, S. C, where some were procured as late as 1830. None 

 have ever been seen about the Mississippi or in Texas. 



This bird is said to be common in Cuba, especially among the small islands on the 

 southern shore not far from the mainland. Its flight is like that of an Ibis, usually 

 in lines, with neck and legs extended, alternately flapping and sailing at brief inter- 

 vals. It usually sails round a locality several times before it alights, doing this for 



VOL. I, — 53 



