RED FLAMINGO. 139 



In Mr Peale's collection, there is one of this same 

 species, said to have heen brought from New Holland, 

 differing little in the markings of its plumage from our 

 own. The red brown on the neck does not descend so 

 far, scarcely occupying any of the breast; it is also 

 somewhat less. 



In every stuffed and dried specimen of these birds 

 which I have examined, the true form and flexure of 

 the bill is altogether deranged, being naturally of a very 

 tender and delicate substance. 



GENUS LIX PHCENICOPTERUS, LINNJEUS. 



244. PB(EXICOPTERVS RUSEB, LINN.SUS. RED FLAMINGO. 



WILSON, PLATE LXVI. FIO. IV. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 



THIS very singular species being occasionally seen on 

 the southern frontiers of the United States, and on the 

 peninsula of East Florida, where it is more common, 

 has a claim to a niche in our Ornithological Museum, 

 although the author regrets, that, from personal obser- 

 vation, he can add nothing to the particulars of its 

 history, already fully detailed in various European 

 works. From the most respectable of these, the Synopsis 

 of Dr Latham, he has collected such particulars as 

 appear authentic and interesting. 



" This remarkable bird has the neck and legs in a 

 greater disproportion than any other bird ; the length 

 from the end of the bill to that of the tail, is four feet 

 two or three inches ; but to the end of the claws, 

 measures sometimes more than six feet. The bill is 

 four inches and a quarter long, and of a construction 

 different from that of any other bird ; the upper mandible 

 very thin and flat, and somewhat movable ; the under, 

 thick ; both of them bending downwards from the 

 middle ; the nostrils are linear, and placed in a blackish 

 membrane ; the end of the bill, as far as the bend, is 

 black ; from thence to the base, reddish yellow; round 

 the base, quite to the eye, covered with a flesh coloured 

 cere ; the neck is slender, and of a great length ; the 



