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AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 



Phcenicoptebus ruber, Linn. 

 PLATE CCCCXXXI. Adult Male. 



On the 7th of May 1832, while sailing from Indian Key, one of 

 the numerous islets that skirt the south-eastern coast of the Peninsula 

 of Florida, I for the first time saw a flock of Flamingoes. It was on 

 the afternoon of one of those sultry days which, in that portion of the 

 country, exhibit towards evening the most glorious effulgence that can 

 be conceived. The sun, now far advanced toward the horizon, still 

 shone with full splendour, the ocean aroimd glittered in its quiet 

 beauty, and the light fleecy clouds that here and there spotted the 

 heavens, seemed flakes of snow margined with gold. Our bark was pro- 

 pelled almost as if by magic, for scarcely was a ripple raised by her bows as 

 we moved in silence. Far away to seaward we spied a flock of Flamingoes 

 advancing in " Indian line," with well-spread wings, outstretched necks, 

 and long legs directed backwards. Ah ! Reader, could you but know the 

 emotions that then agitated my breast ! I thought I had now reached 

 the height of all my expectations, for my voyage to the Floridas was 

 undertaken in a great measure for the purpose of studying these lovely 

 birds in their own beautiful islands. I followed them with my eyes, 

 watching as it were every beat of their wings ; and as they were ra- 

 pidly advancing towards us, Captain Day, who was aware of my an- 

 xiety to procure some, had every man stowed away out of sight and 

 our gunners in readiness. The pilot, Mr Egan, proposed to offer the 

 first taste of his " groceries" to the leader of the band. As I have 

 more than once told you, he was a first-rate shot, and had already killed 

 many Flamingoes. The birds were now, as I thought, within a hun_ 

 dred and fifty yards ; when suddenly, to our extreme disappointment, 

 their chief veered away, and was of course followed by the rest. Mr 

 Egan, however, assured us that they would fly round the Key, and 

 alight not far from us, in less than ten minutes, which in fact they did, 

 although to me these minutes seemed almost hours. " Now they 

 come," said the pilot, " keep low." This we did ; but, alas ! the Fla- 

 mingoes were all, as I suppose, very old and experienced birds, with 



