I90 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF 



on it. The general aspect of the plateau was not unlike 

 a large table covered with plates. In the centre was a 

 deep hole full of muddy water, which, from the gouged 

 appearance of its sides, appeared to be used as a reservoir 

 for nest-making materials. Scattered all round this 

 main colony were numerous single nests rising out of 

 the water and evidently built up from the bottom. 

 Here and there two or three or more of these were 

 joined together — * semi-detached/ so to speak ; these 

 separate nests rose some six or eight inches above the 

 water-level, and were about fifteen inches across. The 

 water was about twelve or fifteen inches deep." Although 

 hundreds of Flamingoes were seen sitting on their nests, 

 •' their long red legs doubled under their bodies, the 

 knees projecting as far as, or beyond, the tail, and their 

 graceful necks neatly curled away among their back 

 feathers, like a sitting Swan, with their heads resting on 

 their breasts," none of them contained any eggs on the 

 nth of May, and these were not obtained until a fort- 

 night later. It may here be remarked that for years it 

 was believed that the Flamingo incubated its eggs whilst 

 sitting astride of its conical nest. Waterton, I believe, 

 was the first naturalist to expose this error ; Mr. Chap- 

 man's observations confirm the exposure and set all 

 doubt at rest. The birds are wary enough at the 

 breeding places, posting sentries on the outskirts of the 

 colony, which raise the alarm and warn the sitting birds 

 of impending danger. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Flamingo are two in number ; in 

 very exceptional cases one. They are rough in texture, 

 somewhat pyriform in shape, and pale greenish-blue 

 without markings. Most of this colour, however, is con- 

 cealed by a thick coating of chalky-white shell. Average 

 measurement, 37 inches in length, by 2-3 inches in 



