THE FLAMINGO 



189 



to the singular, decurved organ of the adult. In the chick 

 the bill is short and straight, with no hint of future curva- 

 ture; and at this stage of its existence the bird feeds in a 

 manner wholly unlike that employed by the old birds. It 

 picks up its food. The second meal, then, consists of bits of 

 the egg-shell whence the chick has lately emerged. This 

 bone-forming matter evidently now takes the place of the 

 Cerithium shells which the parents seem to find essential to 

 their well-being. 



Young Flamingos Feeding Each Other 



When the bird is about three weeks old, the bill first 

 shows signs of convexity, and the bird now feeds after the 

 singular manner of the adult, standing on its head, as it 

 were, the maxilla, or upper half of the bill, being nearly 

 parallel with the ground. Contrary to the rule among birds 

 the lower portion of the bill is immovable, but the upper 

 jDortion, moving rapidly, forces little jets of water from 

 each side of the base of the bill, washing out the sand and the 

 mud through the strainers with which the sides of the bill 



