FLAMINGOES AT HOME. 687 



us, hatless as we now were, from a cloudless sky ; but I suppose that 

 our profuse perspiration saved us from any ill effects, the rapid evap- 

 oration counteracting the sun's heat. It may be that I was too anxious 

 about reaching a favorable point of observation to think of it, but I 

 can not say that I even suffered any inconvenience. 



At length, having crawled under the roots of the dv>'arf mangroves 

 that covered the slob like a network of croquet-hoops, we found our- 

 selves at the edge of the marl, and within one hundred and fifty yards 

 of the birds, who were still undisturbed. Here, with my glasses, I 

 could see every feather, note the color of the eyes, and watch every 

 movement. There were, we calculated, between seven hundred and 

 a thousand birds, and a continuous low, goose-like cackling was kept 

 up. Never did I see a more beautiful mass of color. The male birds 

 had now all got together, standing about five feet high, and with necks 

 extended and heads erect were evidently watching events, preserving 

 in the mean time a masterly inactivity. Now and again one w^ould 

 stretch out his great black and scarlet wings, but the general effect 

 was the most exquisite shade of pink, as the feathers of the breast and 

 back are much lighter than those of the wings. 



The hens sat on the nests, and some were sitting down in the 

 muddy lagoon. I watched them cai'efuUy for nearly an hour, and 

 looked at every nest to see if the legs were extended along the side. 

 In no case did I see a leg. I saw the birds go on to the nest and sit 

 down, I saw them get up, and step down from the nest. In every 

 instance the legs were folded under the bird in the usual manner. In 

 my opinion my observation settles the point as to the mode of sitting ; 

 for even if, as I had been assured, the birds sit both ways, it is im- 

 probable that among the hundreds then sitting not one would have 

 extended the legs. Remembering the great length of the flamingo's 

 legs, it is evident that on a new nest, not more than eight inches high, 

 the hen could not thus sit, nor would even the highest nest allow of 

 the legs being extended while the bird sat upon it. 



After having w^atched the birds for the time named, we showed 

 ourselves ; but whether they had observed us before, and become 

 somewhat accustomed to our presence, or that when sitting they are 

 more easy to approach than I thought, the only effect was that the 

 bens left the nest, and, joining the male birds, prepared for eventu- 

 alities, nor did they take wing until we had begun to walk up to the 

 rookery. While we were examining it, the birds flew round us within 

 forty yards, so that we could have shot them easily. Of course, Ave 

 did not do so. To prevent the destruction of flamingoes and pigeons 

 by their wholesale slaughter during the breeding-season, the Bahamas 

 Legislature passed in 1885 a Wild Birds' Protection Act, from Avhich 

 I hope for good results. 



Having taken a few eggs as specimens, and lifted carefully on to 

 a board a nest destined for presentation to the Zoological Society, 



