678 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIBOSTBES— ODONTOGLOSSJE. 
51. Family PHCENICOPTERID^ : Flamingoes. 
Bill unique in shape, abruptly bent in the middle, so that the upper surface faces the 
ground in the act of feeding; in length much exceeding the head, very large and thick, 
entirely invested with membrane (without the distinct terminal horny nail of Anatidfje). 
Mandible narrower than maxilla at base, broader in the rest of its extent, ridged near the end. 
Edges of upper mandible furnished with a great number (some 150) of oblique laminse j of lower 
incurved, similarly furnished. Nostrils sub-basal, nearer commissure than culmen, linear, 
long. Tibiae bare below for a great distance, and with the tarsi broadly scutellate before 
and behind. Toes short, the anterior palmate with incised webs ; the hallux elevated, free. 
Fig. 469. — American Flamingoes. (From a photograph of a group mounted by F. S. Webster.) 
very small, or absent. Wings moderately long, ample, with enlarged inner secondaries 
folding over and beyond the primaries when closed. Tail short. There are about 7 species of 
Flamingoes, inhabiting the warmer parts of both Hemispheres ; three of America besides 
ours, and three or four Old World. They represent several genera of late systematists, the 
most marked being that represented by P. andinus, which is three-toed. Our species falls in 
the restricted genus Phoenicorodias of Gray. 
277. PHCENICO'PTERUS. (Gr. (poiviKonTepos, j^^^oinikopteros, Lat. phoenicopterus, a flamingo: 
i. e. red-wing.) Flamingoes. Character as above. Head bare between bill and eyes. 
Hind toe present. ,Claws flattened, obtuse. Wings ample, pointed ; 1st three primaries sub- 
equal and longest ; inner secondaries elongated and tapering. 
