RED FLAMINGO. 183 



After covering them over with sand, the females, as it i .* 

 stated, frequently leave them to be hatched by the heat 

 of the sun. 



On the top of the head these birds have a kind of horny 

 protuberance, or helmet, of a blackish -brown colour. 

 The wings are very short. The quills of which they are 

 composed are five in number ; and, like those of the por- 

 cupine, have no vanes, but are so many spines. The skin 

 of the head and neck is naked, and of a fine blue colour 

 above, and red below. On each side of the front of the 

 neck hangs a long blue wattle. The feathers of the body 

 are black, and have the general appearance of hair. The 

 legs are peculiarly strong ; and on each foot there are 

 three toes. These birds have no tail. 



ORDER V. WADERS. 



34. FLAMINGO TRIBE. 



There are only two species of Flamingo, both of which 

 are natives of South America ; and one of them, the Red 

 Flamingo, is found also in Africa. They are birds of 

 large size. Their neck is of great length, and their bill 

 bent, as if broken. 



Red Flamingo. This very singular bird is scarcely 

 larger in the body than a goose, yet its legs and neck are 

 so long, that, when it stands erect, it is sometimes nearly 

 six feet in height. Inhabiting the marshy districts of 

 Africa and South America, the flocks of Red Flamingoes 

 are said to have much the appearance of a regiment of 

 soldiefs, as they are ranged alongside of one another on 



