RED FLAMINGO. 141 



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.-f The 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, J of the 

 size of those of a goose, but more elongated. The 

 hillock is of such a height as to admit of the bird's 

 sitting on it conveniently, or rather standing, as the 

 legs are placed one on each side at full length. $ 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 secreting 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 rivers, 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 Brazil, 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 



* Decouv. Huss. ii, p. 248. f DAMPIER'S Voy. i, p. 70. 



i Never more than three, and seldom fewer. Phil. Trans. 



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. LINX^BUS. 



|| Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and, 

 by this means, getting within gunshot. Hist, of&arbadoes, p. 87. 



^f Called there by the name of Tococo. 



