112 



ORDER ODONTOGLOSSJE 



FLAMINGOES Family Phoenicopteridae 



FLAMINGO 



182. Phcemcopterus ruber. 46 in. 



These large, beautiful birds are found in Southern 

 Florida, and casually north to South Carolina, but it is 

 doubtful if they breed within our limits. They fly with 

 their long neck fully extended and legs trailing behind, 

 a remarkable sight when a flock of several thousand is 

 seen in flight. In 1904, Mr. F. M. Chapman visited a 

 large breeding colony in the Bahamas, photographing 

 the birds in every conceivable position. Their nests are 

 mud-built structures, about a foot high, placed close 

 together in the marshy interior of low lying islands, 

 or on sandbars. The top is slightly hollowed out to 

 receive the single egg (3.40x2.15), which is covered 

 with a chalky deposit. They sit astride the nest with 

 their legs doubled under them. 



Notes. A honking like that of Canada Geese. 



Range. Resident in the Bahamas and West Indies: 

 north to Florida. 



