THE FLAMINGO 167 
which it has to obtain this food is provided with 
a tooth-like serrated margin like a duck’s, it follows 
that to get the water into its mouth it has to walk 
as shown in the illustration with its bill turned back- 
wards. This position I do not think is adopted by 
any other living bird, and is the one outstanding in- 
dividual peculiarity the Flamingo possesses. When 
seen thus feeding it is far from graceful; the long 
neck is straightened out, and the top of the head is 
to the front in the direction of which it is moving, 
and the bill is pointed backwards towards the tail. 
