260 AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 



nostrils are linear, direct, sub-basal, nearer the margin than the ridge, 

 operculate, 1| inch long. 



Head small, ovate ; neck extremely elongated, and very slender, 

 body slender. Legs extremely long; the bare part of the tibia 9^ 

 inches, with 30 very broad scutella before, and about 40 behind, the 

 scutella both here and on the tarsus almost meeting so as scarcely 

 to leave any interspace. Tarsus extremely long, slender, its anterior 

 scutella 54, posterior 65. Hind toe very small, with 3 large scu- 

 tella, its claw oblong, depressed, obtuse ; it is 5 twelfths of an inch 

 shorter than the outer, which is also 5 twelfths shorter than the middle 

 toe. The webs are anteriorly emarginate and crenate ; they are very 

 thick, rugous, and reticulated, especially on the sole ; the lower surface 

 of the toes is tesselated with squarish, flattish, thickened scales, re- 

 sembling mosaic work, and the upper surface is covered with numerous 

 broad, but short scutella. The claws are oblong, obtuse, depressed, 

 and very similar to those of a monkey. 



The space between the bill and the eye is bare. The plumage is 

 generally compact, the feathers rounded ; those on the neck short. 

 Wings long, very broad, pointed ; the first primary half a twelfth of an 

 inch shorter than the second, which is longest, and exceeds the third 

 by one-twelfth ; some of the inner secondaries much elongated, tapering, 

 and extending five or six inches beyond the first primary when the wing 

 is closed. Tail very short. 



Bill black beyond the curve, then orange, and towards the base pure 

 yellow, of which colour also is the bare skin at its base. Iris blue. 

 Feet lake-colour. The plumage is of a very rich pure scarlet, except- 

 ing the ten primaries, and twenty of the secondaries, which are black, 

 the inner ten elongated secondaries being scarlet. 



Length to carpal joint 27| inches, to end of wing 44, to end of tail 

 45^, to end of claws 62 1 ; extent of wings 66 ; bare part of tibia 9 ; 

 tarsus 13|; middle toe and claw 3|; hind toe and claw ^; spread of 

 foot from outer to inner claw 5 ; wing from flexvire 16 ; tail 6 ; circum- 

 ference of body 24. Weight 7 lb. 8 oz. 



The Female is similar to the male, but much smaller ; its weight 

 6 lb. 4 oz. 



A male preserved in spirits. On the roof of the mouth is a large 

 prominent median ridge, which toward the end has two sharp edges ; 

 the sides concave and covered with lamellae. The lower mandible is 



