TJie Flaiiiiugoes. 



\x\ 



The Flamingo. 



The Flamingoes. 



Order PH.-ENICOP TERIF( )RMES. 



Although these curious birds inhabited Eng- 

 land in ancient times, a Flamingo is now a 

 bird of extreme rarity in this country, outside 

 of menageries. At least three instances of 

 the occurrence of the Common Flamingo 

 { Phil nicoptfi'HS roseus) in England are on 

 record, and it is probable that it occasionally 

 gets blown over from the South of Europe. 

 The Flamingo nests in Southern France and 

 in Spain, as well as in the neighbourhood 

 of the Caspian Sea ; it builds a nest of mud 

 and lays two eggs of a chalk}- white, and of 

 about three-and-a-half inches in length. 



The Swans, Geese, and DucKS.-Orf/«- Anseriformes. 



The aspect of these birds is so familiar that I need not specify at length the 

 characters which distinguish them. They may be divided into three families, vii:., 

 Anser'uhi (Gfie.s.& and Swans), ^i);«</rf" (True Ducks) and £W5;Haiz(r;rf«( Diving Ducks). 

 This group of Swimming-Birds can be separated from the 

 Ducks by the absence of a lobe to the hind-toe. They are birds 

 of plain coloration, and do not show any metallic speculum 

 or wing-patch, as do most of the Ducks. 



9* 



THE GEESE. 



Sub-family 

 ANSERINE. 



