1S90.] Scott on Flamingoes near Cape Sable. Florida. 22 7 



were also in this nest two unhatched eggs that contained large em- 

 bryos. So it seems probable that incubation begins with the lay- 

 ing of the first egg, and is continuous till all are hatched. Of 

 other birds there were few on these keys ; but Brown Pelicans and 

 Cormorants were frequent, and among the smaller land birds 

 Thryothorus hidovicianus miamensis and GcotJilypis trichas 

 ig)iota were quite common, and a few representatives of cacli of 

 the following species were observed at different times during my 

 stay here : Dcndroica blackburnicc, Dcndroica virens, Dcn- 

 droica palmantm, Dcndroica pa/tnarum hypochrysea, Dcn- 

 droica coronata, Galeoscoptcs carolincnsis, Seiurus aurocapil- 

 lus, Seiurus noveboraceusis, Melanerpes carolinus, Colaptes 

 a u rains, Falco sparverius, Cerylc alcvon, Cathartes aura, 

 Haliceetus leucoccpJialus, Corvus ossifragus. 



To return to the Flamingoes. It was some nine or ten miles 

 from our anchorage to the mouth of the first of the three bays I 

 have mentioned, — a long way to go in a skill'. But both of our 

 boats were soon manned and we began the details of the explora- 

 tion. Rounding the point opening the first or more westerly of 

 the bays, we found that it was about a mile and a half in width 

 and some three miles deep into the land, with a decided bend to 

 the west. No birds were to be seen till this bend was in turn 

 opened, and there, still a mile or more away, was presented a 

 truly wonderful sight. Stretched out for fully three quarters of 

 a mile, and about three hundred yards from the mainland shore, 

 was a band of rosy, fire-like color. This band was unbroken, 

 and seemed to be very even, though curving with the contour of 

 the shore. Now and again a flame or series of flames seemed 

 to shoot up above the level of the line. This proved when ex- 

 amined through the glass to be caused by one or more birds rais- 

 ing their heads to look about or to rest themselves, for when first 

 noticed all were feeding, with their heads most of the time buried 

 in the shallow water, searching the mud for the small shell fish 

 which appear to be the favorite food at this point. 



Presently some of the birds saw the boats, and the alarm was 

 given. ^ Slowly the line began to contract toward the centre, and 

 the birds were soon in a compact body, appearing now like a 

 large field of red upon the water, and the resemblance to flames 

 was much increased by the constant movements of the heads and 

 necks of the different individuals. In a few moments they began 



