LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. Order VI. ODONT- 



ogloss^ 



FLAMINGOES. Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE 



182. Flamingo. Phcenicopterus ruber. 



Range. — Tropical and sub-tropical America on 

 the Atlantic coasts, breeding in the Bahamas and 

 West Indies; north to Florida and casually to the 

 South Atlantic States. 



These remarkable and grotesque appearing 

 birds attain a length of about 48 inches. The 

 plumage varies from white to a deep rosy red. It 

 requires several years for them to attain the per- 

 fect adult plumage, and unlike most birds, they 

 are in the best of plumage during the winter, the 

 colors becoming faded as the nesting season ap- 

 proaches. The birds are especially noticable be- 

 cause of the crooked, hollow, scoop-shaped bill, 

 and the extremely long legs and neck. The feet 

 are webbed, but more for the purpose of support- 

 ing them upon the mud flats than for use in swim 

 ming. The nests are usually built on a sand) 

 point of an island; the) are mounds of earth. i;i'ass 

 and rubbish from one to two feet in height, lie' 

 top being hollowed to receive the eggs. One or 

 two eggs are a complete set. The shell is pale 

 blue, but this is covered with a heavy white chalky 

 deposit. The eggs are laid in June and July. 

 Size 3.40 x 2.15. 



mi. ill 



IBISES, STORKS, HERONS, etc. Order VII. HERODIONES 



The members of this order are wading birds, consequently they all have 



long legs and necks. They have four toes, not webbed. 



SPOONBILLS. Family PLATALEIDAK 



183. Roseate Spoonbill. Ajaia ajaja. 



Range. Tropical America, north in summer in the dull States. They term 

 erly nested in remote swamps ahum the whole cult coast, but arc new confined 

 chiefly io the Everglades in Florida. 



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