678 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIROSTBES— ODONTOGLOSS^. 



51. Family PHCENICOPTERID.aE : Flamingoes. 



Bill unique in shape, abruptly beut iu the middle, so that the upper surface faces the 

 ground iu the act of feeding ; iu length much exceeding the head, very large and thick 

 entirely invested with membrane (without the distinct terminal horny nail of Anatidce). 

 Mandible naiTower than maxilla at base, broader in the rest of its extent, ridged near the end. 

 Edges of upper mandible furnished with a great number (some 150) of oblique laminte ; of lower 

 incurved, similarly furnished. Nostrils sub-basal, nearer commissure than culmen, linear, 

 long. Tibiae bare below for a great distance, and with the tarsi broadly scutellate before 

 and behind. Toes short, the anterior palmate with incised webs ; the hallux elevated, free. 



Fin. 4fi0 — American Flamingoes. (From a photograph of a group mounted by F. S. "Webster.) 



very small, or absent. Wings moderately long, ample, with enlarged inner secondaries 

 folding over and beyond the primaries when closed. Tail short. There are about 7 species of 

 Flamingoes, inhabiting the warmer parts of both Hemispheres ; three of America besides 

 ours, and three or four Old World. They represent several genera of late systematists, the 

 most marked being that represented liy P. andinus, which is three-toed. Our species falls in 

 the restricted genus Phoenicorodias of Gray. 



PHCENICO'PTERUS. (Gr. ipoiviKOTrrepos, phoinikopteros, Lat. phoenicopterus, a flamingo : 

 i. e. red-wing.) Flamingoes. Character as above. Head bare between biU and eyes. 

 Hind toe present. Claws flattened, obtuse. Wings ample, pointed ; 1st three primaries sub- 

 equal and longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering. 



