RED FLAMINGO. 
47 
ill that of Sal.^ The 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 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 breed- 
ing time. Dampier mentions having, with two more in company, 
killed fourteen at once ; but this was effected by secreting them- 
selves ; for they are vei'y shy birds, and will by no means suffer 
any one to approach openly near enough to shoot them.^ Kolben 
observes that they are very numerous at the Cape, keeping in the 
day on the borders of the lakes and rivers, and lodging tliemselves 
of nights in the long grass on the hills. They are also common 
to various places in the warmer parts of America, freciuenting 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 Ja- 
maica ; but particularly at the Bahama Islands, and that of Cuba, 
where they breed. A^hen seen at a distance they appeal as a le- 
giment of soldiers, being arranged alongside of one another, on 
the borders of the rivers, searching for food, which chiefly consists 
of small fish,ff or the eggs of them, and of water insects, which 
they search after by plunging in the bill and part of the head ; 
* Damp. Voy. i, p. 70. 
t 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 sufficient- 
ly convenient so as to admit of the legs being placed one on each side. Linn. 
^ Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and by this means getting 
within gunshot. Hist. Barbad. p. 88. 
** Called there by the name of Tococo. 
ft Small shell fish. Gesner. 
