THE FLAMINGO. 181 



tail, four feet three inches. 



What is the shape of this bird ? 



The shape of this bird is so peculiar, that without 

 good authority, no one would believe that nature ever 

 formed a creature so disproportionate ; it being chiefly 

 made up of legs and neck. Every part is small in 

 proportion to the length, except the head, which seems 

 too large to be supported by so slender a neck. 



What is the colour of this bird? 



This Flamingo, as its name implies, is of a red col- 

 our, which is very deep and beautiful. The bill to- 

 wards the end, is black, and from thence to the root is 

 yellow. The quill feathers are also black. But eve- 

 ry part of the bird except these is scarlet red. 



Where is this bird found? 



The Red Flamingo is found in most warm climates. 

 It is seen every where on the coast of Africa and in 

 South America, and also in the We'st Indies and on 

 the shores of the Mediterranean sea. 



The body of the Flamingo is not larger than that of 

 a goose, but this is lifted up on a pair of red legs near- 

 ly three feet into the air, while the neck is so long as 

 easily to reach the ground from this height. As they 

 stand and walk with their heads erect, a flock of them 

 at a distance, is said to appear like a regiment of sol- 

 diers. They feed on small fish and water insects, 

 which they catch by plunging their heads into the wa- 

 ter. Now and then they trample in the mud with 

 their feet, in order to start their prey. 



It is said that when Europeans first landed on the 

 shores of South America, they found these birds so 

 tame and gentle as hardly to move out of the way when 

 they came near them. They were not acquainted 



