146 MR. P. L. SCLATER ON THE BIRDS OF LIMA. [Feb. 25, 
standing its use, in the extract from the Rev. T. Phillips’s MS., 
before referred to. 
P.S. A singular habit of the Flamingoes has been observed, which 
induces me to believe that something analogous to the secreting- 
power already alluded to exists in these birds. During the time the 
Flamingoes were kept in the same aviary with the Cariamas, the 
latter birds, as is their habit, frequently turned their bills upwards 
and uttered their harsh and loud notes. The Flamingoes, appa- 
rently under the impression of their want of food, advanced to their 
assistance, and holding their heads over the gaping mouths of the 
Cariamas ejected a glutinous fluid (nearly resembling blood in colour), 
which fell sometimes into the mouths of the Cariamas, but more 
frequently on to their backs, and rendered their feathers glutinous 
and, when dry, very dirty. 
Since writing the foregoing, I have obtained some of the coloured 
fluid from the Flamingoes, ejected this day (March 22, 1869), and, 
having submitted it to the examination of Dr. Murie, find by view- 
ing it under the microscope that it contains a vast proportion of 
blood-corpuscles, and is little else than blood. Have we here an 
explanation of the old story of the Pelican feeding its young with 
its own blood? I think we have; for the Flamingo was, and is still, 
found plentifully in the country alluded to; and it may be that in 
the translation the habit of the one bird has been transferred to the 
other. At any rate, I have no doubt that the Flamingo feeds its 
young by disgorging its food, as is shown by the bloody secretion 
that I find ejected by these birds in their endeavour to feed the 
craving Cariamas. This habit has been observed and remarked 
upon, and has doubtless led to what we have so long considered a 
fable. I have yet to learn if the same power may not exist in the 
Pelicans, and perhaps in other birds, of supplying nutriment to 
their young by these means. 
4, On the Birds of the Vicinity of Lima, Peru. By P. L. 
Scrater, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. With Notes on their 
Habits; by Professor W. Nation, of Lima, C.M.Z.S. 
(Part ITI.*) 
(Plate XII.) 
A third small collection of birdskins from Professor Nation has 
lately reached me, together with notes upon some of the species, 
which I have now the pleasure of submitting to the Society. 
1. CAMPYLORHYNCHUS BALTEATUS, Baird, Rev. A. B. p. 103. 
C. zonatoides, Scl. P. Z. 8. 1860, p. 272. 
C. pallescens, Sclater, Cat. A. B. p. 16. 
* Continued from P. Z. S. 1867, p. 344. 
