172 



BIRDS OF AMERICA 



almost within their city gates? No sign of alarm, 

 however, was shown ; without confusion, and as 

 if trained to the evolution, the birds advanced 

 with stately tread to their nests. There was a 

 bowing of a forest of slender necks as each bird 

 lightly touched its egg or nest with its bill ; then, 

 all talking loudly they stood up on their nests ; 

 the black wings were waved for a moment and 

 bird after bird dropped forward on its egg. 

 After a vigorous wriggling motion, designed 



evidently to bring the egg into close contact with 

 the skin, the body was still, but the long neck and 

 head were for a time in constant motion, preen- 

 ing, picking material at the base of the nest, dab- 

 bling in a nearby puddle, or perhaps drinking 

 from it. Occasionally a bird sparred with one 

 of the three or four neighbors which were within 

 reach, when, bill grasping bill, there ensued a 

 brief and harmless test of strength." 



T. Gilbert Pe.\rson. 



Photo by Leo E. Miller of the American iviuseuni uf Natural History 



FLAMINGOES IN THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK, BUENOS AIRES 



