RED FLAMINGO. 225 



nest is of a singular construction, made of mud, in shape of a 

 hillock, with a cavity at top; in this the female lays generally 

 two white eggs,* of the size of those of a Goose, but more 

 elongated. The hillock is of such an height as to admit of the 

 bird's sitting on it conveniently, or rather standing, as th^ legs 

 are placed one on each side at full length, f The young cannot 

 fly till full grown, but run very fast. 



" Flamingoes, for the most part, keep together in flocks; and 

 now and then are seen in great numbers together, except in 

 breeding time. Dampier mentions having, with two more in 

 company, killed fourteen at once; but this was effected by se- 

 creting'themselves; for they are very shy birds, and will by no 

 means suffer any one to approach openly near enough to shoot 

 them. Kolben observes that they are very numerous at the 

 Cape, keeping in the day on the borders of the lakes and ri- 

 vers, and lodging themselves of nights in the long grass on the 

 hills. They are also common to various places in the warmer 

 parts of America, frequenting the same latitudes as in other 

 quarters of the world; being met with in Peru, Chili, Cayenne, || 

 and the coast of Brasil, as well as the various islands of the 

 West Indies. Sloane found them in Jamaica; but particularly 

 at the Bahama islands, and that of Cuba, where they breed. 

 When seen at a distance they appear as a regiment of soldiers, 

 being arranged alongside of one another, on the borders of the 

 rivers, searching for food, which chiefly consists of small fish, IF 

 or the eggs of them, and of water insects, which they search 

 after by plunging in the bill and part of the head; from time to 

 time trampling with their feet to muddy the water, that their 

 prey may be raised from the bottom. In feeding are said to 



* They never lay more than three, and seldom fewer. Phil. Trans. 



t Sometimes will lay the eggs on a projecting part of a low rock, if it 

 be placed sufficiently convenient so as to admit of the legs being placed 

 one on each side. Linn. 



J Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and by this 

 means getting within gun-shot. Hist. Barbad. p. 88. 



|| Called there by the name of Tococo. 1 Small shell fish. Gesner, 



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