188 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



the case of Tunisia, and the whole of North-west Africa, there seems 

 to be no recorded instance of its breeding in the country. In 

 Marocco, as in Tunisia, tlie species is apparently to be found in 

 greater or lesser numbers throughout almost the entire year, but 

 does not breed there. North of the Mediterranean the Flamingo is 

 chiefly to be found in the more southern parts of Europe, less often 

 in Central Europe, and occasionally as a straggler as far north as 

 England. In South Spain it breeds in considerable numbers in the 

 " marismas " at the mouth of the Guadalquivir, and in years when 

 there is plenty of water, it is said to breed also in the delta of the 

 Rhone, and at Yalcares in France. In Italy it is to be found 

 abundantly in Sardinia, during the autumn and winter months, but 

 does not seem to breed in the island. Its chief haunts in Sardinia 

 are the " stagni " of Cagliari and Oristano, but it is also to be 

 found in one or two other localities, and if these were less frequented 

 by fishermen, it might possibly nest in the island. In Sicily the 

 species is only to be observed on passage, and rarely in any numbers. 

 It appears to breed in the Cape Verd Islands. 



The range of the species extends over the whole of Africa, and in 

 Asia from the Caspian to Lake Baikal. 



The first arrivals in Tunisia are generally to be seen in August 

 and September, and throughout the autumn and winter months the 

 species is to be found in greater or lesser numbers on the Tunis lakes. 

 Towards the end of February or beginning of March most of the 

 birds leave the country. I have, however, often found a few after 

 that date, and have even seen fairly large flocks of the birds at the 

 very end of March. These were probably freshly arrived migrants. 

 According to the naturalist Blanc, a few Flamingoes may be seen 

 on El Bahira throughout the entire summer, but do not nest. The 

 migration of this species appears to be somewhat erratic, but our 

 knowledge concerning it is very imperfect, and we have yet a good 

 deal to learn regarding the life and habits of the bird. It has not 

 yet been clearly ascertained whether the flocks which frequent the 

 Tunis lakes go northwards or southwards on the approach of spring. 

 Those found on the " stagni " of Sardinia are said to go south at 

 that season, and to return from the south in the autumn. 



By some ornithologists the present species is considered to be 

 most nearly allied to the Geese, by others to the Herons, but it 

 differs from both. In its habits it is essentially gregarious, and is 



