90 BIRDS 



shallow water, while others run through water and carry on 

 an aggressive campaign, spearing frogs and fish as they 

 attempt to escape. Herons fly with neck arched over 

 shoulders. 



FLAMINGO 



Flamingoes are tropical or sub-tropical birds distributed 

 throughout favorable sections of the Atlantic coast of both 

 hemispheres. Five varieties are American, only one of which 

 reaches North America. They are gregarious birds and are 

 to be found in colonies during both the breeding and 

 migrating seasons. Showing a decided preference for still 

 and brackish water, one seldom encounters these large birds 

 far from the sea coast. 



The construction of the strainer bill is peculiar; the por- 

 tion joining the head is almost at right angles with the outer 

 half of the beak. The beak of the young is straight like 

 that of a duck, gradually assuming an angle. Their mode 

 of separating the edible matter from the waste is the same 

 process used by ducks, but of course the latter pushes the 

 bill forward as a spade, while the former uses the bill more 

 as a hoe because of long neck. 



The plumage is light salmon, bordering on pink or light 

 rose. The feathers on some parts of the body are lighter. 

 In confinement and in mounted specimens the plumage loses 

 the bloom so that the feathers become several shades paler. 

 This undoubtedly is due to the lack of some essential article 

 obtained in the natural diet when in the wild state. 



These birds nest in the islands south and east of Florida. 

 Extensive mud flats slightly flooded at high tide are the 



