166 EGYPTIAN BIRDS 



it was in perfect order. I wanted one to make 

 detailed studies of, and I took it back to the boat 

 with me, and worked from this poor bird till all 

 the crew covered their noses with their hands as 

 they came near my model, and I myself could 

 stand it no longer, and it was tossed over as food 

 for the fishes, who later again would be food for 

 others of its own kindred. Scattered about 

 Angelino's quarters were curious high crates made 

 of split palm branches and lined with canvas. 

 Asking what they were for, I was told they were 

 the cages for the poor birds to be sent away — " to 

 America," he said — and I could get no more out of 

 him. We learned this man comes every winter 

 from Alexandria, settles down in these remarkable 

 quarters, and buys his Flamingoes from the local 

 fishermen, who vary their ordinary pursuit by 

 catching duck and any wildfowl that they can net, 

 and the result is that, though years ago Flamingoes 

 did nest on the lake, now not one does. 



The form of the bill in the Flamingo always 

 suggests a man with a broken nose. The angular 

 fall-back of the bill is nearly as singular as the 

 upturned one of the Avocet. As the Flamingo 

 obtains its insect and other food from the water, 

 and the inside of its peculiar -shaped bill with 



