AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 169 



enlarged into a crop; proventriculus elliptical; stomach a very muscular, 

 transversely elliptical gizzard, exactly resembling that of a Goose or Duck, 

 with the epithelium dense, and longitudinally sulcate; intestine very long, 

 and of considerable width; coeca rather long; cloaca globular. 



AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 



■f Phcenicopterus ruber, Linn. 

 PLATE CCCLXXV.— Adult Male. 



On the 7th of May, 1832, while sailing from Indian Key, one of the 

 numerous islets that skirt the south-eastern coast of the Peninsula of Florida, 

 I for the first time saw a flock of Flamingoes. It was on the afternoon of 

 one of those sultry days which, in that portion of the country, exhibit 

 towards evening the most glorious effulgence that can be conceived. The 

 sun, now far advanced toward the horizon, still shone with full splendour, 

 the ocean around glittered in its quiet beauty, and the light fleecy clouds 

 that here and there spotted the heavens, seemed flakes of snow margined 

 with gold. Our bark was propelled almost as if by magic, for scarcely was a 

 ripple raised by her bows as we moved in silence. Far away to seaward we 

 spied a flock of Flamingoes advancing in "Indian line," with well-spread 

 wings, outstretched necks, and long legs directed backwards. Ah! reader, 

 could you but know the emotions that then agitated my breast! I thought 

 I had now reached the height of all my expectations, for my voyage to the 

 Floridas was undertaken in a great measure for the purpose of studying 

 these lovely birds in their own beautiful islands. I followed them with my 

 eyes, watching as it were every beat of their wings; and as they were 

 rapidly advancing towards us, Captain Day, who was aware of my anxiety 

 to procure some, had every man stowed away out of sight and our gunners 

 in readiness. The pilot, Mr. Eg an, proposed to offer the first taste of his 

 "groceries" to the leader of the band. He was a first-rate shot, and had 

 already killed many Flamingoes. The birds were now, as I thought, within 

 a hundred and fifty yards; when suddenly, to our extreme disappointment, 

 their chief veered away, and was of course followed by the rest. Mr. 



Vol. VI. 23 



