THE FLAMINGO 



167 



which it has to obtain this food is provided with 

 a tooth-like serrated margin like a duck's, it follows 

 that to get the water into its mouth it has to walk 

 as shown in the illustration with its bill turned back- 

 wards. This position I do not think is adopted by 

 any other living bird, and is the one outstanding in- 

 dividual peculiarity the Flamingo possesses. When 

 seen thus feeding it is far from graceful ; the long 

 neck is straightened out, and the top of the head is 

 to the front in the direction of which it is moving, 

 and the bill is pointed backwards towards the tail. 



Fig. 9. 



