68 THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 



The egg is large, averaging about 3^ by 2% 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 it is evident that they do not reach their 

 full brightness before the seventh year. I never 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 



