BIRDS—PHOENICOPTERIDAE—PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER. 
687 
Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE. 
C H ._Legs and neck excessively elongated. Bill with the edges lamellated or denticulated, and bent abruptly in tho middlo. 
Toes fully webbed. 
The precise position of this remarkable family is a matter of some uncertainty, some authors 
placing it with the Anseres, on account of its wehhed feet and lamellar bill, while others keep it 
in the Grallae. I am inclined to think that its affinities are more with the Anseres ; at least, it 
seems less out of place there than in the other sub-order. Should the statement to Mr. Audubon 
be correct, that the young betake themselves to the water immediately on breaking the shell, it 
will almost settle the question by placing it in the sub-class Praecoces, and, consequently, 
with the Anseres. 
PHOENICOPTERUS, Linn. 
Phoenicopterus, Linn. 1748. Type Phoenicopterus ruber, L. (Gray.) 
Ch. —Neck and feet excessively lengthened. Bill duck-like, bent abruptly downward in the middle ; the opposed edges of 
both mandibles lamellar. Tibia denuded for the inferior two-thirds ; the anterior two-thirds of both tibia and tarsus enveloped 
by one series of broad scutellae ; the circumference completed by a smaller posterior series. Toes one-fourth the tarsus, con¬ 
nected as far as the claws by a thickened membrane. Claws short, broad, blunt. Hind too very small, elevated ; sometimes 
wanting. 
There is a soft skin at the base of the bill which extends around and behind the eye. 
Comparative measurements. 
Catal. 
No. 
Species. 
Locality. 
Sex. 
Length. 
Stretch 
of wings. 
Wing. 
Tail. 
Tarsus. 
Middle 
toe. 
Its 
claw. 
Hill 
above. 
Along 
gape. 
Specimen 
measured. 
Remarks. 
8695 
do. 
8697 
do. 
8696 
do. 
Phoenicopterus ruber .. 
Indian Key, Fla.. 
3 
6.70 
12.20 
3.50 
0.38 
5.90 
5.00 
Skin .... 
Moulting .. 
48 00 
66.00 
16.50 
3 
6.30 
12.20 
3.30 
0.38 
5.70 
5.00 
Skin .... 
Moulting .. 
48.00 
66.00 
16.50 
9 
5.60 
11.50 
3.20 
0.35 
6.00 
5.00 
Skin ... 
Fresh . ^ 
Moulting .. 
42.00 
64.50 
15.50 
PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER, Linn. 
Flamingo. 
Phoenicopterus ruber , Linn. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 230, (in part.)— Gmelin, 1,612.— Wilson, Am. Orn. VIII, 1814, 45 ; 
pi. lxvi.—Bon. Obs. 1825, No. 236.—In. Am. Orn. Ill, 1828, 101.—In. List, 1838 .—Ib. 
Consp. II, 1855, 145.— Nuttall, Man. II, 1834, 70.— Aud. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 255; pi. 
431 .—Ib. Syn. 269 .—Ib. Birds Amer. VI, 1843, 169, pi. 375. 
Sp. Ch.— Hind toe moderate. Size very largo. Color bright scarlet red ; deepest on the wings. Quills black. Legs red. 
Bill yellow ; black from the bent portion. Length, 45 inches; wing, 16.50 ; tarsus, 12; bill above, (along curve,) 5.90. 
Hub. —Warmer parts of America. Rare on the Florida Keys. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. 
No. 
Sex. 
Locality. 
When collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Length. 
Stretch 
of wings. 
Wing. 
Remarks. 
8697 
Indian Key, Fla_ 
G. Wurdemann_ 
48. 00 
66. 00 
16. 50 
8698 
s 
......do_ 
48. 00 
66. 00 
16. 50 
8696 
Q 
42. 00 
64.50 
15. 30 
8695 
3 
August 6, 1857 
..do_.... 
48. 00 
66. 00 
16. 50 
