678 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. ^ LAMELLIBOSTBES— ODONTOGLOSS^. 



51. Family PHCENICOPTERID^ : Flamingoes. 



Bill unique in shape, abruptly bent in the middle, so that the upper surface faces the 

 ground in the act of feeding ; in length much exceeding the head, very large and thick, 

 entirely invested with membrane (without the distinct terminal homy nail of AnatidcB). 

 Mandible narrower than maxiUa at base, broader in the rest of its extent, ridged near the end 

 Edges of upper mandible furnished with a great number (some 150) of oblique laminse ; of lower 

 incurved, similarly furnished. Nostrils sub-basal, nearer commissure than culmen, linear, 

 long. Tibiae bare below for a great distance, and vrith the tarsi broadly scuteUate before 

 and behind. Toes short, the anterior palmate with incised webs; the hallux elevated, free. 



277. 



Fig. 469. — American Flamingoes. (From a photograph of a group mounted by F. S. Webster.) 



very small, or absent. Wings moderately long, ample, with -enlarged inner secondaries 

 folding over and beyond the primaries when closed. Tail short. There are about 7 species of 

 Flamingoes, inhabiting the wanner parts of both Hemispheres ; three of America besides 

 ours, and three or four Old World. They represent several genera of late systematists, the 

 most marked being that represented by P. andvnus, which is three-toed. Our species falls in 

 the restricted genus Phcenicorodias of Gray. 



PHCENICO'PTEBUS. (Grr. <j)oiyi,K6nTepos, phoinikopteros, Lat. phanicopierus, a flamingo : 

 i. e. red-wing.) Flamingoes. Character as above. Head bare between bill and eyes. 

 Hind toe present. Claws flattened, obtuse. Wings ample, pointed ; 1st three primaries sub- 

 equal and longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering. 



