224 KED FLAMINGO. 



tip a sharp cartilaginous substance. The bird when in full plu- 

 mage is wholly of a most deep scarlet, (those of Africa said to 

 be the deepest) except the quills, which are black; from the 

 base of the thigh to the claws measures thirty-two inches, of 

 which the feathered part takes up no more than three inches; 

 the bare part above the knee thirteen inches, and from thence 

 to the claws sixteen; the colour of the bare parts is red, and the 

 toes are furnished with a Web as in the Duck genus; but is deep- 

 ly indented. The legs are not straight, but slightly bent, the 

 shin rather projecting. 



" These birds do not gain their full plumage till the third 

 year. In the first they are of a grayish white for the most part; 

 the second of a clearer white, tinged with red, or rather rose 

 colour; but the wings and scapulars are red; in the third year a 

 general glowing scarlet manifests itself throughout; the bill and 

 legs also keep pace with the gradation of colour in the plumage, 

 these parts changing to their colours by degrees as the bird ap- 

 proaches to an adult state. 



66 Flamingoes prefer a warm climate, in the old continent not 

 often met with beyond forty degrees north or south. Every 

 where seen on the African coast, and adjacent isles, quite to 

 the Cape of Good Hope,* and now and then on the coasts of 

 Spain,t Italy, and those of France lying in the Mediterranean 

 sea; being at times met with at Marseilles, and for some way 

 up the Rhone. In some seasons frequents Aleppo, J and parts 

 adjacent. Seen also on the Persian side of the Caspian sea, and 

 from thence along the western coast as far as the Wolga; though 

 this at uncertain times, and chiefly in considerable flocks, com- 

 ing from the north coast mostly in October and November; but 

 so soon as the wind changes they totally disappear. || They 

 breed in the Cape Verd isles, particularly in that of Sal. IT The 



* In Zee Coow river. Phil. Trans. Once plenty in the Isle of France. Voy. 

 to Mauritius, p. 66. 



t About Valencia, in the lake Albufere. Dillon's Trav. p. 374. 

 iBussel's Aleppo, p. 69. IfDecouv. Russ. n, p. 248. 



^Damp. Voy. i, p. 70. 



