THEFLAMINGO. 99 



wrill sometimes stand for several minutes, uttering a curring 

 sound, while, from the corresponding quiverings of their 

 wings and long legs, they seem to balance themselves with 

 great difficulty. This singular manoeuvre is, no doubt, 

 intended to induce a belief that they may be easily caught, 

 and so turn the attention of the person, from the pursuit of 

 their nests and young, to themselves. 



The Red-necked Avoset practises the very same deception, 

 in the same ludicrous manner, and both alight indiscriminate 

 ly on the ground or in the water. Both will also occasionallj 

 8wim for a few feet, when they chance in wading to los« 

 their depth, as I have had several times an opportunity A 

 observing. 



The name by which this bird is known on the sea-coast 

 is the Stilt, or Tilt, or Long-Shanks. They are but 

 sparingly dispersed over the marshes, having, as has been 

 111 ready observed, their particular favourite spots, while in 

 large intermediate tracts, there are few or none to be 

 found. 



THE AMERICAN, OR RED FLAMINGO. 

 (^Phoenicopterus ruber.) 



The Flamingo of America (says Mr. Nuttall) is found 

 ihiefly in the tropical regions, from whence it appears w 



