PHCENICOPTERUS RUBER. 
435 
graceful ease into the nearest grass or other vegetation, from which it is difficult to make 
them rise; and I have on several occasions, pushed the prow of my boat into a clump of 
aquatic plants, only a few feet in diameter, in which two or three had taken refuge, with¬ 
out starting them, although I could plainly see them crouching among the vegetation, so 
near that I could almost touch them with my hand. When rising, the Coots will run along 
the surface of the water, then fly, like the Rails, with dangling legs. The notes of the 
Coots resemble those of the Gallinules but are, if anything, more harsh and grating. 
ORDER XVI. LAMELLIROSTRES. DUCKS, GEESE. ETC. 
Anterior toes, connected by a membrane. Posterior toe, present, and more or less ele¬ 
vated above the level of the anterior toes. Keel, very low, rarely exceeding in height one 
half the width of the sternum. Marginal indentations, two, open or inclosed. Bill, provided 
with lamellce. 
This order includes the Flamingos, Swans, Geese, Ducks, etc., all of which are wide¬ 
ly distributed throughout the world. The body is compact and thickly covered with feath¬ 
ers which are uniformly distributed over its surface. The legs are usually short but occa¬ 
sionally greatly lengthened. The young are covered with down and usually run at birth. 
One of the chief characteristics may be seen in the lamellae of the bill, which are horny, 
tooth-like projections growing from the sides of one or both mandibles. 
FAMLY I. PIICENICOPTERIDiE. THE FLAMINGOS. 
Legs and neck, excessively elongated. Bill, abruptly bent in the middle, more or less 
pointed. Marginal indentations, open. 
Members of this family are remarkable on account of their long legs and neck, and all 
are residents of the Tropics. 
GENUS I. PHCENICOPTERUS. THE FLAMINGOS. 
Generic Characters are similar to those given under the Family heading. The oesophagus is dilated into a crop near 
the lower portion. Stomach, muscular. Intestines, very long and quite wide, with coeca rather long. Sexes, similar. 
There is but one species within our limits. 
PHCENilCOPTERUS RUBER. 
Scarlet Flamingo. 
Phoenicopterus ruber Linn., Syst. Nat. I.; 1766, 230. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, rather slender. Size, large. Color. Adult. Bright red throughout, darkest on wings. Prima¬ 
ries, black. Iris, blue, feet, red, and bill, yellow, with terminal portion, black. Young. Similar but paler. 
OBSERVATIONS, 
Readily known by the bright colors and peculiar form as described. Distributed, as a constant resident, on the Ba¬ 
hamas and southward. Rare on the Florida Keys. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from Florida. Length, 45*00; stretch, 65*25; wing, 16*00; tail, 6*15; bill, 5*85; 
tarsus, 11 *85. Longest specimen, 48*00; greatest extent of wing, 66*00; longest wing, 16*50; tail, 6*70; bill, 6*00; tarsus, 
12*20. Shortest specimen, 43*00; smallest extent of wing, 64*50; shortest wing, 15*50; tail, 5*60; bill, 5*70; tarsus, 11*50. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of mud. Eggs, two in number, oval in form, bluish in color, 
covered with a white calcareous deposit. Dimensions from 2*00 x 3*25 to 2* 10 x 3*50. 
