PART X. 

 STRANGE BIRDS AMD THEIR WAYS. 



THE FLAMINGO. 



1. The coasts of Florida, with semi-tropical and nearly 

 uniform climate, are the favorite resorts of many kinds of 

 aquatic birds which are not found in Northern waters. 

 Conspicuous among these are numerous wading birds which 

 have their homes along the lagoons and shallow waters of 

 the bays. Early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, 

 the visitor to the shore is startled by a trumpet-like noise, 

 immediately followed by a whirr of wings, and he sees a 

 flock of large scarlet birds rising in the air and sailing 

 away in the shape of a triangle, after the fashion of wild 

 geese. These are the flamingoes, and the noise was the 

 warning note of the sentinel which is always on the look- 

 out while the rest of the flock are feeding. 



2. They are shy birds, and to obtain a near view they 

 must be approached with great caution. Snugly ensconced 

 in some protecting bush or tree, the observer will see scar- 

 let flashes high in air as the birds steer toward their accus- 

 tomed resort. When they alight, the triangle is straight, 

 ened out into a line, the sentinel takes his place in some 

 commanding position, and the remainder of the flock set 

 about their search for food. At a little distance they ap- 

 pear-like scarlet boats, with enormously long bows, floating 



