D. P. It^GRAHAM. 59 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO, 

 PHCENICOPTERUS RUBER. 



BY D. P. INGRAHAM, PUEBLO, COL. 



A FEW decades ago this beautiful bird was not uncommon 

 along the Southern border of what is now the United States, 

 being found in almost every suitable locality from the 

 mouth of the Rio Grande to Cape Florida. Old navigators 

 of the Mississippi have told me that they have seen it in the 

 lagoons far up the river, toward Vicksburg. This statement 

 may possibly be taken with a grain of allowance, as to my 

 mind it is questionable whether it found its desirable food 

 above tide water. It is possible that the bird feeds in fresh 

 water, but I have never heard of its feeding in other thari 

 salt or brackish water, unless this report is authentic. 



In these days the only locality that I have been able to 

 learn of in the United States is the extreme western and 

 southern coast of Florida. 



The bird seems to be very partial to its feeding-grounds, 

 selecting shallow bays and lagoons where its long legs enable 

 it to feed far from the shore, and where the bottom is so 

 soft that it would be difficult for any heavy object to ap- 

 proach, for it is a very wary bird. Most of its feeding is 

 done in the night, or early in the morning, or late in the 

 evening. The larger part of the day is spent far out from 

 shore, where the flock may be seen sleeping — not, however, 

 with that continued sleep which may be observed among 

 some birds, but in short, restless cat-naps. 



The birds are very gregarious, but the report that while 

 the flock is resting or feeding they keep a sentinel posted to 



