of the Delta of the Rhone. 201 



wing simultaneously and performing flights of at least two 

 miles; and we also saw smaller parties, once as few as four 

 birds, wing their way for considerable distances, but in no 

 instance was any pai'ticular formation maintained. On 

 alighting they run forward for several yards in a very awk- 

 ward fashion, due to the impetus that is upon them at the 

 moment of touching the muds or the waters of the lagoon. 

 The note of the Flamingo is not loud, and somewhat resem- 

 bles that of a Goose ; and, so far as our limited experience 

 goes, it was uttered only when the bird was on the wing. 



A careful inspection of the members composing the flock 

 revealed the fact that they varied very considerably in size. 

 In some degree this may be attributable to sexual distinction, 

 but neither this fact nor age can, it is thought, quite explain 

 the remarkable differences in stature observed among the 

 adults. Young dull-coloured birds were very few in number 

 in the Camargue herd. 



On the 31st of May, when we last saw them, the Flamin- 

 goes had not commenced to nidificate, and it is extremely 

 doubtful whether any attempt would be made to nest in the 

 Camargue in the dry season of 1894. 



In parting with these birds we had a curious experience of 

 the effects of the mirage. We had put up the birds and 

 watched them alight about a mile away, and were retracing 

 our steps over the muds towards the margin of the etang. 

 After proceeding some little distance, we turned towards the 

 birds to take a last look at them. To our surprise, they had 

 entirely disappeared. A few moments afterwards, and while 

 we were still gazing towards the place Avhere we had last 

 seen them, a small party arose above and fell again behind 

 an invisible veil. All was then explained ; but it was maui- 

 fest to us that one might easily visit this vast haunt and 

 come away without seeing the birds, though they were, com- 

 paratively speaking, near at hand. 



Anas boscas, Linn. 



The "Wild Duck was an abundant species on and in the 

 neighbourhood of the fresh- and brackish-water etaugs of the 



