THE WORLD'S BIRDS. 



35 



Disposition, Habits, etc. — They are shy and sohtary ; 

 very Httle is known about them, not even their 

 nesting habits. 



Economic Qualities. — The Asiatic species is dehcious 

 eating. 



Captivity. — The South American form has been kept 

 in its own country ; and one specimen of the 

 African has reached London ahve, brought by 

 Mr. J. D. Hamlyn. 



Distribution and Important Species. — There are 

 only three species, all found in warm climates : 

 Podica senegalensis, the ** Wasser-treter " (Water- 

 treader) of the Boers, of Africa, south of the 

 Sahara ; the rare Heliopais personata, the Masked 

 Finfoot, found from Assam to Sumatra ; and 

 the South American Finfoot above-mentioned, 

 which is much smaller than the other two, and 

 has the toes joined by a web at the base and barred 

 across with black. 



Flamingoes {PhoenicopteridcB). 



Diagnosis. — Tall and very slender waders with webbed 

 feet and short bent-down beak. 



Size. — About that of a small goose to a duck in the 

 body ; but they are very tall, owing to the length 

 of neck and legs. 



Form. — Bill short, thick, bent down at an angle in 

 the middle, corner of mouth not extending beyond 

 forehead ; upper jaw flattened, lower very deep, 

 so that they recall a box and lid ; the upper is 

 more movable than the lower. Both are fringed 

 with horny ridges and covered with skin instead of 

 horn, except at the tip, as in ducks. Feet with very 

 long shanks ; thighs naked a long way above 

 hocks ; toes three in front, short, webbed ; usually 



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