185 
PHCENICOPTERUS. FLAMINGO. 
Generic Character. 
Rostrum grossum, validum, 
altior quam latior, denti- 
culatum, ad apicem coni- 
cum ; mandibula superiore 
subito incurvata, ad apicem 
inferioris inclinans. 
Nares longitudinales, in me- 
dio rostri sitae. 
CoUum longissimum. 
Pedes longissimi, tetradac- 
tyli, palmati ; digiti antici 
membrana lunata connexi ; 
poZZe^ parvus, brevis. 
Beak thick, strong, higher 
than broad, slightly tooth- 
ed, conic towards the tip ; 
the upper mandible sud- 
denly bent down, and in- 
clining towards the tip of 
the inferior one. 
Nostrils longitudinal, placed 
in the middle of the beak. 
Neck very long. 
Legs very long, four-toed, 
palmated; the antei^iortoes 
connected by a lunated 
membrane; the hinder toe 
small and short. 
PHCENICOPTERUS Auctorum. 
Jr LAMINGOES inhabit the temperate and tropical 
climates of the globe, usually frequenting the sea- 
coasts : they subsist on various insects, mollusca, and 
the fry of fish : they assemble in flocks during the 
period of incubation : they moult but once during 
the year, but the young do not attain their full plu- 
mage for several years. Notwithstanding the toes 
