294 BIRDS. GRALLATORES, 



Gen. .15. PHQENICOPTERTJS, Lin. 



Bill thick, strong, deeper than broad, dentated > naked at the 

 base, upper mandible bent over the under at the tip ; the 

 under broader than the upper ; nostrils longitudinal, in the 

 middle of the bill, covered by a membrane ; legs very long, 

 with three toes before, and a very short one articulated high 

 on the tarsus behind, the fore-toes connected to the claws ; 

 wings middle-sized. 



P. ruber, Lin. Red Flamingo. Head, neck, and lower parts rose- 

 coloured ; wings bright red ; back and scapulars rose-coloured ; 

 quills deep black ; the long red secondary feathers of the wings 

 considerably exceeding the quills in length ; bill blood-red at the 

 base, black towards the tip. 4 feet 4 inches long. Inhabits the 

 warmer parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia Shaw, xii. pi. 24. 

 Flamingos inhabit the warmer latitudes of both continents, and are not often met 

 with higher than the 40th degree, north or south. Their food consists of small fish- 

 es and their spawn, testacea, and aquatic insects. When flying in bands, they form 

 an angle, like geese. These beautiful birds were held in high estimation by the an- 

 cient Romans, who often used them in their entertainments. Pliny, Martial, and 

 other writers, celebrate the toHgue as the most delicate of eatables. 



Gen. 16. RECURVIROSTRA, Lin. 



Bill very long, slender, feeble, depressed throughout its length, 

 flexible and turned up at the point, the upper mandible chan- 

 nelled on its surface, the under laterally ; nostrils linear and 

 long ; legs long and slender, the three fore-toes united as far 

 as the second joint by a membrane, the hind toe placed high 

 up, and very short ; wings acuminate, the first quill longest. 



These birds, of which only one species inhabits Europe, frequent salt marshes, 

 or the banks of rivers, where the water is shallow. They migrate and live in pairs ; 

 their flight is rapid and sustained ; and their food is minute insects. They do not 

 habitually swim, although provided with palmated toes. 



R. avocetta, Lin. Common Avoset. Plumage white, with the ex- 

 ception of the top of the head ; posterior part of the neck, scapu- 

 lars, coverts of the wings, and quills deep black; feet bluish. 

 18 inches long. Inhabits Europe, &c. B. Shaw, xii. pi. 22. 



R. Americana, Lath. Head, neck, top of the back and breast red- 

 dish-yellow ; face whitish ; middle of the back and front of the 

 scapulars black j tail grayish. 18 inches long. Inhabits North 

 America. Wils. Amer. Orn. vii. pi. 63, fig. 2. 



Gen. 17. CANCIIOMA, Lin. 



Bill longer than the head, much depressed ; broader than deep, 

 dilated towards the middle ; ridge prominent, with a groove 

 on each side ; upper mandible in the form of a reversed boat ; 

 the lower pointed ; nostrils oblique, in the nasal groove ; the 

 three anterior toes united at their base ; hind toe on a level 

 with the others. 



