68 
RED FLAMINGO. 
pian Sea ; and from tlience, along the western coast, as far as 
the Wolga; though this at uncertain times, and chiefly in 
considerable flocks, coming from the north coast mostly in 
October and November ; but so soon as the wind changes, 
they totally disappear.* * * § They breed in the Cape Verd Isles, 
particularly in that of Sal.f The nest is of a singular con- 
struction, made of mud, in shape of a hillock, with a cavity at 
top ; in this the female lays generally two white eggs, J of 
the size of those of a goose, but more elongated. The hil- 
lock is of such a 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. § 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 
secreting themselves, for they are very shy birds, and will, by 
no means, suffer any one to approach, openly, near enough to 
shoot them. 1| Kolben observes, that they are very numerous 
at the Cape, keeping in the day on the borders of the lakes and 
rivers, 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 
any other quarters of the world ; being met with in Peru, Chili, 
Cayenne,^ and the coast of Brazil, as well as the various islands 
of the West Indies. Sloane found them in Jamaica, but par- 
ticularly at the Bahama Islands, and that of Cuba, where they 
* Decouv. Russ. ii. p. 24i. 
f Dampieu’s Voy. i. p. 70. 
I They never lay more than three, and seldom fewer. — Phil. Trans. 
§ Sometimes will lay the eggs 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-seus. 
II Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and, by this 
means, getting within gunshot. — Hist, of Barhadoes,-^. 88, 
^ Called there by the name of Tococo. 
1 
