RED FLAMINGO. ^ 
225 
nest is of a singular construction, made of mud, in shape of a 
hillock, with a cavity at top; in this the female lays generally 
two white eggs,* of the size of those of a Goose, but more 
elongated. The hillock is of such an height as to admit of the 
bird’s sitting on it conveniently, or rather standing, as the legs 
are placed one on each side at full length, f The young cannot 
fly till full grown, but run very fast. 
‘‘ Flamingoes, for the most part, keep together in flocks; and 
now and then are seen in great numbers together, except in 
breeding time. Dampier mentions having, with two more in 
company, killed fourteen at once; but this was effected by se- 
creting themselves; for they are very shy birds, and will by no 
means suffer any one to approach openly near enough to shoot 
them. X Kolben observes that they are very numerous at the 
Cape, keeping in the day on the borders of the lakes and ri- 
vers, and lodging themselves of nights in the long grass on the 
hills. They are also common to various places in the warmer 
parts of America, frequenting the same latitudes as in other 
quarters of the world; being met with in Peru, Chili, Cayenne, || 
and the coast of Brasil, as well as the various islands of the 
West Indies. Sloane found them in Jamaica; but particularly 
at the Bahama islands, and that of Cuba, where they breed. 
When seen at a distance they appear as a regiment of soldiers, 
being arranged alongside of one another, on the borders of the 
rivers, searching for food, which chiefly consists of small fish, IT 
or the eggs of them, and of water insects, which they search 
after by plunging in the bill and part of the head; from time to 
time trampling with their feet to muddy the water, that their 
prey may be raised from the bottom. In feeding are said to 
* They never lay more than three, and seldom fewer. Phil. Trans. 
t Sometimes will lay the egg's on a projecting part of a low rock, if it 
be placed sufficiently convenient so as to admit of the legs being placed 
one on each side. Linn. 
i Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and by this 
means getting within gun-shot. Hist. Barbad. p. 88. 
II Called there by the name of Tococo. ^ Small shell fish. Gesner. 
VOL. III. — G g 
