THE FLAMINGO. 



591 



A flock of these birds feeding along the sea-shore have a curious appearance, bending their 

 long necks in regular succession as the waves dash u})on tlie shore, and raising them as the 

 ripple passes away along the strand. At each wing is always placed a sentinel bird which 

 makes no attempt to feed, but remains with neck erect and head turning constantly about 

 to detect the least indication of danger. When a flock of Fhimingos is passing overhead, 

 they have a wonderfully flne efl'ect, their plumage changing from pure white to flashing rose 

 as they wave their broad wings. 



When at rest and lying on the ground, with the legs doubled under the body, the 

 Flamingo is still graceful, bending its neck into snaky coils, and preening every part of its 



8P0E-WINGED GOO^E..— Pkctropterus gambeiusis. 



plumage with an ease almost incredible. Its long and apparently clumsy legs are equally 

 under command, for the bird can scratch its cheeks with its toes as easily as a sparrow or 

 a canary. 



When flying the Flamingo still associates itself with its comrades, and the flock form 

 themselves into regular shapes, each band evidently acting under the command of a leader. 

 The nest of the Flamingo is rather curious, and consists of mud and earth scraped together so 

 as to form a tall hillock with a cavity at the summit. In this cavity the eggs are laid, and 

 the bird sits easily upon them, its limbs hanging down at each side of the nest like a long- 

 legged man sitting on a milestone. The eggs are white, their number is two or three, and the 

 young birds are all able to run at an early age. Like many other long-legged birds, the 

 Flamingo has a habit of standing on one leg, the other being drawn up and hidden among 

 the plumage. 



The curious beak of this bird is orange-yellow at the base and black at the extremity, and 

 the cere is flesh-colored. When in full plumage the color is brilliant scarlet, with the excep- 

 tion of the quill-feathers, which are jetty-black. A full-gro\vn bird will measure from five to 

 six feet in height. 



