68 THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 
The egg is large, averaging about 3% by 244 inches, and 
when first laid is pure white, being covered with a flaky sub- 
stance, but bluish when this is removed. The bird takes a 
position on the nest like that of most other birds, but sits a 
little further back on account of its long legs, thus bringing 
the eggs a little more toward the breast. It does not sit 
astride of the nest, as it has so often been represented, but 
doubles its legs under the body like other long-legged birds. 
The eye is quite small, but seems to be endowed with 
wonderful vision, and can apparently see about as well at 
night as in the daytime. 
I know of no authentic data as to the age the Flamingo 
may reach. But from examination of the ovary—allowing 
two eggs a year, as the bird lays but once unless disturbed 
—and from knowledge of the time required to attain full 
plumage, I judge that its life must be fully 50 years. The 
bird of the first year is nearly gray, but after it sheds its first 
winter plumage it assumes a reddish color. One familiar 
with Flamingoes can easily distinguish their ages, at least to 
the fourth year, and itis evident that they do not reach their 
full brightness before the seventh year. Inever could distin- 
guish the sex except by the size of the bird; but in more 
than 100 cases where I have judged by the size of the 
bones, I never found that I had been mistaken when I ex- 
amined the sexual organs. Whether the birds mate for life 
or not I cannot say; but from such observations as I have 
been able to make I incline to the opinion that they yearly 
select their mates. 
The bird is in fine plumage only in winter, and after the 
first of April is not desirable as a specimen, as the feathers 
then become faded and begin to look worn and dingy, 
although the birds do not nest until the last of May or 
early in June. After they have mated there is little trouble, 
as compared to the winter season, in securing them, but at 
that time they are of little value. The largest bird I have 
ever mounted stood 64 inches high; but I saw one in the 
