100 THE FLAMINGO. 



.miigrate in sumner, on either side of the equator; in th« 

 eouthern hemisphere, visiting Brazil, Peru, Chili, and 

 Buenos Ajres, on the shores of La Plata. It is also seen 

 in Cayenne (where it is known by the name of Tocoeo, 

 from the usual sound of its call), and in various islands of 

 the West Indies. They breed in Cuba and the Bahamas; 

 are not unfrequent at certain seasons on the coast of Florida, 

 and sometimes solitary individuals are observed even in the 

 Middle States; but in the Union generally, the species may 

 be considered as rare. 



When seen at a distance, such is the brilliancy of their 

 dress, and the elevation at which they stand, that they 

 appear like a troop of soldiers, being arranged alongside of 

 each other, in lines, while on the borders of rivers and 

 estuaries near the sea, they assemble in search of their food, 

 which consists chiefly of small fish, spawn, and aquatic 

 insects. 



They collect their prey by plunging in the bill and part 

 of the head ; and from time to time trample with their feet, 

 to disturb the water, and raise it from the bottom. While 

 the rest are thu? employed in seeking their subsistence, one 

 of them stands sentinel, and, on the first note of alarm, a 

 kind of trumpet-call, he takes to wing, and the whole flock 

 immediately follow. 



The Flamingo has the neck and legs in a greater dispro« 

 portion than any other bird. The kngth from the end of 

 ihe bill to that of the tail is four feet two or three inches; 



