566 RED FLAMINGO. 
“These birds do not gain their full plumage till the third year. In * 
the first, they are of a grayish white for the most part; the second, of 
a clearer white, tinged with red, or rather rose color; but the wings 
and scapulars are red; inthe third year, a general glowing scarlet 
manifests itself throughout; the bill and legs also keep pace with the 
gradation of color in the plumage, these paits changing to their colors 
by degrees, as the bird approaches to an adult state. : 
“ Flamingoes prefer a warm climate; in the old continent not often 
met with beyond forty degrees north or south; every where seen on 
the African coast, and adjacent isles, quite to the Cape of Good 
Hope ;* and now and then on the coasts of Spain,} Italy, and those 
of France lying in the Mediterranean Sea; being, at times, met with 
at Marseilles, and for some way up the Rhone; in some seasons fre- 
quents Aleppo,{ and parts adjacent; seen also on the Persian side of 
the Caspian Sea ; and from thence, along the western coast, as far as 
the Wolga; though this at ‘uncertain times, and chiefly in consider- 
able flocks, coming from the north coast mostly in October and No 
vember; but so soon as the wind changes, they totally disappear.§ 
They breed in the Cape Verd Isles, particularly in that of Sal.| The 
nest is of a singular construction, made of mud, in shape of a hillock, 
ith a cavity at top; in this the female lays generally two white 
eggs,7 of the size of those of a Goose, but more elongated. The 
hillock is of such a height as to admit of the bird’s sitting on it con- 
veniently, or rather standing, as the legs are placed one on each side 
at full length.** The young cannot fly till full grown, but run very 
fast. : 
“Flamingoes, for the most part, keep together in flocks, and now 
and then are seen in great numbers together, except in breeding time. 
Dampier mentions having, with two more in company, killed fourteen 
at once; but this was effected by secreting themselves, for they are 
very shy birds, and will by no means suffer any one to approach, 
openly, near enough to shoot them.} Kolben observes, that they are 
very numerous at the Cape, keeping in the day on the borders of the 
lakes and rivers, and lodging themselves of nights in the long grass 
on the hills. They are also common to various places in the warmer 
parts of America, frequenting the same latitudes as in any other 
quarters of the world; being met with in Peru, Chili, Cayenne,tt and 
the coast of Brazil, as well as the various islands of the West Indies. 
Sloane found them. in Jamaica, but particularly at the Bahama Islands, 
and that of Cuba, where they breed. When seen at a distance, they 
* In Zee Coow River. — Philosophical T; ctit Once plenty in the Isle 
of France. — Voyage to Mauritius, p. 66. 
+ About Valencia, in the Lake Albufere.— Dition’s Travels, p. 374. 
¢ RussEv’s Aleppo, p. 69. 
Decouv. Russ. ti. p. 24. 
Dampier’s Voy. i. p. 70, : 
I They never lay more than three, and seldom fewer. — Phil. Trans. 
** Sometimes will lay the eggs on a projecting part of a low rock, if it be placed 
sufficiently convenient, so as to admit of the legs being placed one on each side. — 
Linnzvs. : : 
tt Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and, by this means, 
getting within gunshot. — Hist. 0 f Banbidoce, p- 88. 
t} Called there by the name of Tococo. 
