RED FLAMINGO. 
141 
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 construction, 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 
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 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. || 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 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 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 
* Decouv. Russ, ii, p. 248. f Dampier’s Voy . i, p. 70. 
Never 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 Linnaeus. 
|| Davies talks of the gunner disguising himself in an ox hide, and, 
by this means, getting within gunshot. Hist, of Barbadoes, p. 87 . 
! Called there by the name of Tococo. 
