3oo FLA M I N G O, 



other bird : the length, from the end of the bill to that of the tail, 

 is four feet two or three inches ; but to the end of the claws fome- 

 times meafures more than fix feet. The bill is four inches and a 

 quarter long, and of a conftruftion different from that of any other 

 bird; the upper mandible very thin and flat, and fomewhat move- 

 able.; the under thick; both of them bending downwards from the 

 middle: the noftrils are linear, and placed in a blackifh membrane: 

 the end of the bill, as far as the bend, is black, from thence to the 

 bafe reddifh yellow ; round the bafe, quite to the eye, covered 

 with a flefh-coloured cere: the neck is (lender, and of a great 

 length : the tongue large, flefhy, filling the cavity -of the bill j 

 furnifhed with twelve or more hooked papilU on each fide, turn- 

 ing backwards ; the tip a fharp cartilaginous fubftance. The 

 bird, when in full plumage, is wholly of a moft beautiful deep fear- 

 let *, except the quills, which are black : from the bafe of the 

 thigh to the claws meafures thirty-two inches, of which the 

 feathered part takes up no more than three inches ; the bare part 

 above the knee thirteen inches ; and from thence to the claws 

 fixteen : the colour of the bare parts is red ; and the toes 

 are furnifhed with a web, as in the Duck genus, but is deeply in- 

 dented. 

 -Young. Thefe birds do not gain their full plumage till the third year. 



In the firft they are of a greyifh white for the moft part; the fe- 

 cond of a clearer white, tinged with red, or rather rofe-colour, 

 but the wings and foapulars are red ; in the third year a general 

 glowing Jcarlet manifefts itfelf throughout: the bill and legs 

 alio keep pace with the gradation of colour in the plumage 3 



• T'hofe of Africa faid to be deepeft coloured. 



thefe 



