D. P. INGRAHAM. 59 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO, 
PH@ENICOPTERUS RUBER. 
BY D. P. INGRAHAM, PUEBLO, COL. 
A FEw decades ago this beautiful bird was not uncommon 
along the Southern border of what is now the United States, 
being found in almost every suitable locality from the 
mouth of the Rio Grande to Cape Florida. Old navigators 
of the Mississippi have told me that they have seen it in the 
lagoons far up the river, toward Vicksburg. This statement 
may possibly be taken with a grain of allowance, as to my 
mind it is questionable whether it found its desirable food 
above tide water. It is possible that the bird feeds in fresh 
water, but I have never heard of its feeding in other than 
salt or brackish water, unless this report is authentic. 
In these days the only locality that I have been able to 
learn of in the United States is the extreme western and 
southern coast of Florida. 
The bird seems to be very partial to its feeding-grounds, 
selecting shallow bays and lagoons where its long legs enable 
it to feed far from the shore, and where the bottom is so 
soft that it would be difficult for any heavy object to ap- 
proach, for it is a very wary bird. Most of its feeding is 
done in the night, or early in the morning, or late in the 
evening. The larger part of the day is spent far out from 
shore, where the flock may be seen sleeping—not, however, 
with that continued sleep which may be observed among 
some birds, but in short, restless cat-naps. 
The birds are very gregarious, but the report that while 
the flock is resting or feeding they keep a sentinel posted to 
