NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The female is similar to the male in plumage, but is slightly 

 smaller in size. The young female is brown all over. 



The young bird is white without the rosy tinge. Most 

 of the feathers are streaked with brown. The other markings 

 are paler than in the adult. The nestling is pale brown in 

 colour. The back is covered with bristle-like down, which 

 is a mixture of brown, white, and black. 



Distribution. — This flamingo extends over a very wide 

 range. It is found throughout Southern Europe, through Asia 

 to India, and throughout Africa. It is very common in South 

 Africa in certain localities, chiefly along the coasts, and inland 

 where lakes occur. 



Habits. — This flamingo is always found in large flocks, 

 frequenting mud flats, the shallows of fresh and sea water lakes, 

 and even the actual seashore itself They feed both by day and 

 night, although during the midday heat they usually retire to 

 some secluded spot and rest. When feeding they wade among 

 the shallows in a long line with their heads down, searching 

 for their food, which consists of small mollusca and Crustacea, 

 water weed, and sea grass. The upper mandible is used for 

 digging up the mud, while the thick tongue and lamellae along 

 the lower mandible serve to squeeze the mud and slime, filtering 

 out and retaining only the nourishing part. They are good 

 swimmers, but generally prefer to wade. When flying they 

 stretch their necks straight out in front and their legs behind. 

 It is only during flight that the beautiful crimson and black on 

 the wings is seen. Nothing is known for certain about their 

 nesting habits in Africa. In Spain the nests are placed in or 

 near shallow water. They are built of mud and vegetable matter 

 into the shape of a low inverted cup. The eggs, 2 in number, 

 are white, without any gloss, and they are rounded at each end, 

 and measure 3.7 by 2.30. 



South African Shelduck, or Berg Eend {Casarca cana). 

 (Vol. II., p. 238.) 



Description. — Head and neck dark ashy-grey. Scapulars, 

 mantle, and outer web of inner secondaries rufous-chestnut. 



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