592 



THE SP UR-]\ INGED G OSE. 



The American Flame^go {PlKfiiicopferus ruber). This is one of the most notable and 

 showy birds of the entire list of Noith American forms, and it is probably rather familiar to 

 most people. It has been said that these birds sit "astraddle"' their nests. A late examination 

 of a breeding-place in tlie West Indies, shows a great numl)er of more or less tall pot-like nests, 

 some of them between three and four feet high, made of mud. The birds sit with legs bent 

 under them as other birds do, the nest being too wide to admit their sitting with their legs 

 hanging down, as it was supjiosed they did. 



The surprising dimensions of this bird are given as follows by Wilson : " The length from 

 the end of the bill to that of the tail, is four feet two inches, but to the end of the claws 

 measures more than six feet. The bill is four inches and a quarter long. In full plumage this 

 bird is almost wholly of a rich scarlet, except the quills, which are black. It does not gain its 

 full ijlumage befcn-e tlie third year. 



CAPE BARRON GOOSE —Cereo)im iimw /lo/laiitlia. (See page 593.) 



The curious bird, represented in the engi'aving on page 591, brings us nearer to the true 

 Geese. 



The Spttr-winged Goose inhabits Gambia and Senegal, and is remarkable foi- the 

 peculiarity from which it derives its name. The reader will remember that several birds, such 

 as the jacana and the screamers, are armed with horny claws or spure upon the bend of 

 the wing ; and it is rather remarkable that the same formation is found in one genus of 

 the Goose tribe, the wings of the Spur-winged Goose being supplied -with two of these 

 appendages. The head, too, is notable for a bold, elevated crest, which starts from the base of 

 the bill, and which during the life of the bird is of a light red color. This protuberance 

 is really part of the skull, nnd has a very curious aspect when the skeleton is prepared. 



The coloring of this species is bold and simple. The general tint of the plumage is deep 



