•190 Tlili I'KATHKRED TKIBE.'S. 



great sccuiily. Hut as the flamingo frequents the sea-coast and the adjacent marshes, 

 it has also the power of swimming, and its toes are partially webbed ; and thus it may 

 fc^l-lessly venture even bej'ond its depth, nor apprehend being carried away by the 

 retiring tide. 



Its food consists of small fish, shells, and water insects, for the capture of which its 

 beak is most singularly constructed ; in length it is nearly five inches ; the upper man- 

 dible is bent downwards in the middle, at an acute angle, ae if broken, the space from 

 the angle to the point being a broad flat plate, of a somewhat oval figure ; the lower 

 mandible, which is the larger, is so adjusted as to fit the angle with its edges, its under 

 surface being gently arched downwards. The edges of both mandibles are furnished \\itli 

 a row of serrations, or tooth-like eminences, those of the upper being the larger. 



The use of the mandibles is, like a strainer, allowing the water to pass througli, but 

 retaining any small body, as an insect or a fish. In searching for food among the mud, 

 at the bottom of waters, the upper and not the under mandible is applied to the ground ; 

 the flat portion of its surface being well adapted for pressing close down on the soft bed 

 of the marsh or creek. Hence, in that situation, the inferior mandible is placed ujjper- 

 most, and by its motion works the disturbed and turbid water through the two, as is seen 

 in ducks and other aquatic birds. The tongue is large and flesh}', and the sense of taste 

 is probably acute. 



The height of the flamingo, in its uattiral attitude, is about foui" feet. The first j-ear, 

 its livery is of a grayish clouded white ; the second, the white is purer, but the wings 

 are tinted with a beautiful rose-colour ; in the third year it attains its fuU plumage. 

 Its colour is then extremely rich and brilliant, being of a fine deep scarlet on the back, 

 and roseate on the wings, the quill-feathers of the wings being jet black. The hues of 

 tlie bird become more intense during succeeding years. A flock of these tall and si^lendid 

 birds, moving about on the sea-beach, with their plumage reflecting the glowing rays of 

 a tropical sun, is a spectacle never to be forgotten. 



The mode of incubation of this bird is exceedingly curious. Were its nest constructed 

 like those of birds in general, its long limbs. would be always in the way ; besides, the 

 flamingo never sits down, but n-sts standing on one log. But the instinct implanted in the 

 bird by the All-wise Creator obviates all these difficidties. The flamingo raises a nes(, if 

 nest it can be called, of mud in the form of a hillock, and slightly concave at the top. 

 Here the female bird lays two hn'ge white eggs, and sits to hatch them, her legs hanging 

 down on each side of this singular mound, and the tw^s just touching the earth at its base. 



This bird, known in Europe, has been seen everywhere on the African coast, and the 

 adjacent islands, (juite to the Cape of Good Hope. Le Vaillant found (liuusunds of tliem 

 on the river Klein-Brak, where the water is brackish owing to the flowing of (lie tide. 

 It has been occasionally observed on the coasts of Spain, of Italy, and on those of France, 

 which lie on the Mediterranean 8ea. It is rare and accidental in the neighbourhood of 

 Home; and it has been noticed in various parts of Ihe Kast. 



AMKincAN Sl'K.CIKS Ol' I'l.AMINfiO.* 



This species, in its adult state, scarcely difleis frtmi tlii' European flamingo; it is, 

 perhaps, not so liright. ( 'utesby .says : "When lliey iced (which is always iu shallow 

 water, by bending lliiir necks), they lay llie upjier part of the bill next the ground, 



llicir feet being in conlinual motidii up and dowii in tlir i 1, by wliicli means (hey 



raise a small round sort of gram, iocmliling millet, whicli lliey receive into their bills \ 

 and as there i.s a necessity for receiving intotlicir moutli some mud. Nature has provided 



• l'liirini()])t('nis Cliilinsis Mciliim. 



