PHCENICOPTERUS ROSEUS 189 



always to be found in flocks, these sometimes being very vast, and 

 numbering as many as a thousand individuals. It frequents, as a 

 rule, salt-water lakes and shallows near the sea, where it may be 

 observed standing in the water in long lines, like files of soldiers clad 

 in white, for the other colours of the bird's plumage do not show 

 till its wings are expanded. 



Without going into raptures over the beauty of the Flamingo, 

 I am inclined to agree with Mr. J. H. Gurney (" Eambles of a 

 Natm-alist," p. 219), in considering it as not overrated by the many 

 writers who have sung its praises, and no lover of birds who has 

 seen and watched Flamingoes at home, can fail to have preserved 

 a most lively and pleasing recollection of his observations, and in 

 particular of the sight afforded him by a countless number of these 

 exquisitely plumaged birds rising simultaneously into the air. Mr. 

 Gurney well depict.s the peculiar way the Flamingo has of taking to 

 flight when he says " tiiey take several steps in the air, half flying, 

 half walking, and wholly awkward." When fairly on the wing, how- 

 ever, the bird's flight is both graceful and powerful, its neck and legs 

 being carried outstretched to their fullest extent. Although as a 

 rule the Flamingo does rot swim, it appears to be able to do so both 

 rapidly and well, as shown by wounded birds in deep water. Its 

 cry, chiefly uttered when the bird first takes to flight, is not unlike 

 that of the common Wild Goose, and when a large flock rises together, 

 the noise made is rather overpowering. Its food consists of small 

 Crustacea and worms, and to a great extent of vegetable matter, which 

 is obtained at the bottom of the shallows where it feeds. The 

 peculiar conformation of the bird's bill is no doubt well adapted for 

 searching in soft mud or sand and among aquatic vegetation. 



Of the breeding of the Flamingo in Tunisia, or anywhere in North- 

 west Africa, there seems to be no well authenticated record. It is 

 said that the species, up to comparatively recent years, was in the 

 habit of nesting regularly on the south side of the Lake of Tunis, but 

 judging from the character of the locality indicated, and its proximity 

 to a large town, there is reason to doubt the veracity of this state- 

 ment. The marshy districts near Djebel Eshkul and Bizerta would 

 be far more likely breeding-ground, but apparently the species, even 

 in winter, does not visit these localities very often. I have, however, 

 two eggs of the Flamingo from Tunis, which were found in a shallow 

 part of the Lake El Bahira, having no doubt been accidentally 

 dropped there by the birds. 



