They have thick, depressed bills, broad, tip horny, edges 
with thin horny lamelle, which aids the bird to retain, what food it 
has secured. whilst getting rid of puddle and water it has drawn up 
into its beak; dertrum: the horny tip of bill, is hard and solid, 
generally coloured, differently to the bill. It is a sort of nail, to 
protect the soft sensative beak from injury. Most of the species, 
belonging to this tribe migrate to Central Asia and lakes in Thibet. 
I. PHCNICOPTERIDZ (Flamingos) 
Are birds with very long necks and legs, and bills longish which 
are turned or twisted downwards in appearance. 
(944) PHaNIcopTERUS ROSEUS, Flamingo. These beautiful 
and graceful birds are not always found in their haunts, beside 
big rivers, and lakes, in the plains. They are more abundant. in 
Madras Presidency, and Central India. Flamingos are, comparatively, 
easily tamed. It appears to quite adapt itself to its new surround- 
ings, and will not readily exchange, the better social status, it has 
been given, for all the Molluscs and Crustacea found in Chilka 
Lake, or big estuaries, and water-ways in India. So that if you 
have no opportunity of visiting these localities, you will doubtlessly 
cross the path of a tame flamingo. Occasionally these birds are 
found far inland. When reposing on quiet and peaceful, broad 
expanse of water, they are easily alarmed, and soon take wing, with 
loud trumpet-like calls. There are various species of Flamingos, 
roseus is commonly found in India. In size it is 52 inches ; bill rose 
coloured tipped black ; irides golden yellow ; legs and feet pale red 
with a rose tint; plumage is a pretty roseate white ; darker and 
richer in colour on the head, back and tail ; wings white on some of 
the coverts and secondary quills ; primary coverts and tertiaries are 
fine rosy red ; remaining quills (primary etc.) are black. 
As none of the II Family Cygnids (Swans) are found in the 
district, or in the plains, we shall turn our attention to III division 
of Lamellirostres. 
Ill. Famity ANSERIDAE (Geese) 
Which have moderate sized bills, which are a bit wedge shaped 
in appearance ; legs longish, having a more forward position on the 
