2x6 STOIilES AH OUT BIRDS. 



legs hanging down. The nest itself is very curious, and is sohd nearly to the 

 top, and then hollow hke a pot. 



The bottom of the nest is in the water, and the bird usually has its feet 

 in the water. In some parts of the tropics, the birds are tamed for the sake 

 of their skin, which is used instead of swans' down. They are caught in snares, 

 or else decoyed by tame flamingoes that are used on purpose. The tame 

 flamingoes are driven into places frequented by the wild ones, and meat is laid 

 upon the ground. As soon as the wild flamingoes see the others eating the 

 meat, they come forward to obtain a share. A battle ensues between the 

 birds; and the bird-catcher, who is hidden close by, watches his opportunity to 

 dart forward and seize the prey. 



There are two kinds of flamingoes — that of America is of a deep red, 

 while the one in Asia and Africa is rosy colour, with black wings. In old 

 times the flesh of the flamingo was considered a dainty, and even now the 

 young bird is thought by some people to taste like partridge. But, on the 

 whole, the people in these days, who have tasted it, say it is very oily and 

 disagreeable. 



The flamingo cannot live in England. Though many attempts have been 

 made to rear it, it soon languishes and dies. 



There was a tame flamingo that lived a little time. It used to dip its 

 bread in water, and to eat more in the night than in the day. It was very 

 impatient of cold, and would go so near to the fire as to burn its toes. One 

 of its legs was hurt by an accident, and it could not use it. But it contrived 

 to walk all the same, for it put its head to the ground and used its long neck 

 as a crutch. 



THE PEACOCK. 



To see the peacock in its full beauty, he should be viewed in his own land, 

 in the glade of some tropical forest. There he spreads out his tail of dazzling 

 beauty, and struts about with his companions. None of the feathered tribe 

 can vie with him in the splendour of his array. His shining colours glisten in 

 the sun, and compare with those of the brilliant little humming-bird or the 

 gorgeous parrot. 



