THE FLAMINGOES. 101 
are submerged the birds are shot by gunners, to whom they furnish excellent 
sport, and by epicures are esteemed as most delicious food. Of these birds, 
the Sora Rail of America is a good example. Of the Coots, or Mud-hens, 
the habits of the American Coot will serve as an example. Wilson describes 
its general habits in the following language : — 
“This species makes its appearance in Pennsylvania about the first of Oc- 
tober. Among the muddy flats and islands of the River Delaware, which 
are periodically overflowed, and which are overgrown with the reed, or wild 
oats and rushes, the Coots are found. They are not numerous, and are sel- 
dom seen, except their places of resort be covered with water; in that case, 
they are generally found sitting on the fallen reeds, waiting for the ebb of the | 
tide, which will enable them to feed. Their food consists of various aquatic 
plants, seeds, insects, and, it is said, small fish. The Coot has an aversion 
to take wing, and can seldom be sprung in its retreat at low water; for, 
although it walks rather awkwardly, yet it contrives to skulk through the 
grass and reeds with great speed, the compressed form of its body, like that 
of the Rail genus, being well adapted to that purpose. It swims remarka- | | 
bly well; and, when wounded, will dive like a duck. When closely pur- 
sued in the water, it generally takes to the shore, rising, with apparent | 
reluctance, like a wounded duck, and fluttering along the surface, with its 
feet pattering on the water. It is known in Pennsylvania by the name of 
the Mud-hen.” 
Famitry Puanicorprertn®. THe FLAMINGOES. 
The Phenicopteride include a single genus, Phenicopterus. The posi- | 
tion of these birds, in the systems of ornithologists, has been a doubtful | 
one, some placing them with the swimmers, others with different groups of 
the Gralle : the present position seems the most natural one. 
Temminck, in giving the habits of these birds, says that they live on the 
sea-beach, or in marshes formed by salt lakes, where their food consists of 
testaceous mollusks, marine insects, and the spawn of fish, which they col- 
lect by plunging their long neck into the water, and turning the head upside 
down, so as to employ with greater advantage the bend of their bil. They 
join in large troops, and live in societies. Their nest is made in the marshes, 
and consists of earth piled up; upon this nest the birds sit astride, because 
their length of limb hinders them from incubating otherwise. Whether 
they are reposing or fishing, sentinels are appointed, which keep a sort of 
enard. If anything alarms the sentinel, he utters a trumpeting ery, and 
all the birds of the flock follow him into the air. They rarely take their 
repose in any other than open places ; and it is asserted that their sense of | 
smelling is so acute, that they can scent from afar the hunter and fire-arms. | 
NO. XIV. 66 | 
i ee ee 
