PIKENICOPTERTNiE. 
These  remarkable  birds  are  found  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  world.  They  are  usually  observed  on  the  sea  shor 
or  in  the  salt-marshes  in  flocks  of  many  individuals,  one  of  which  generally  acts  as  sentinel,  while  the  others  are 
or  resting.  At  the  slightest  danger  it  gives  warning  by  a loud  trumpet-like  noise,  and  then  starts  oflT  and  takes  ^ ^ 
lead  in  their  flight.  When  flying,  they  form  two  lines  springing  from  one  bird,  which  gives  the  appearance  ^ 
triangle,  but  they  alight  in  a straight  line,  and  generally  remain  so  even  while  seeking  their  food.  They  are  capable^*^^ 
running  quickly,  but,  when  walking,  assist  themselves  by  placing  their  upper  mandible  on  the  ground.  Shell-fisb> 
spawn  of  fish,  and  marine  insects  form  their  food,  which  they  secure  by  means  of  their  long  bill,  turning  it  towa 
themselves,  and  thus  it  is  placed  upside  down  to  take  advantage  of  its  peculiar  form.  The  nest  is  placed  on  a hi  ’ 
which  the  female  forms  of  mud  to  the  height  of  a foot  and  a half,  having  the  top  truncated  and  concave,  whereon 
deposited  two  or  three  eggs ; these  are  hatched  by  the  bird  crouching  over  them. 
].  P.  antiquorum  Temni.  PI.  enl.  63.,  Gould,  B.  of  Eur.  pi.  287. 
2.  P.  ruher  Linn.  Wils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  66.  f.  4.,  Lath.  Gen.  Syn. 
pi.  93.,  Catesby’s  Car.  pi.  73.  74.,  Audub.  B.  of  Amer.  pi.  416. 
3.  P.  cJiilensis  Mol.  Chili,  p.  214. 
4.  P.  ignipalliatus  I.  GeofFr.  & D’Orh.  Mag.  de  Zool.  1 833. 
t.  2.  — PhoenicopteruB  chilensis  Pmppig.  phie- 
5.  P.  parvus  Vieill.  Anal.  d’Ornith.  Gal.  des  Ois.  t.  273.  "" 
nieopterus  minor  Geoffr.  PI.  enl.  419. 
September,  1846. 
