THE FLAMINGO. 
99 
will sometimes stand for several minutes, uttering a curring 
sound, while, from the corresponding quiverings of their 
wings and long legs, they seem to balance themselves with 
great difficulty. This singular manoeuvre is, no doubt, 
intended to induce a belief that they may be easily caught, 
and so turn the attention of the person, from the pursuit of 
their nests and young, to themselves. 
The Red-necked Avoset practises the very same deception, 
in the same ludicrous manner, and both alight indiscriminate- 
ly on the ground or in the water. Both will also occasionally 
swim for a few feet, when they chance in wading to lose 
their depth, as I have had several times an opportunity of 
observing. 
The name by which this bird is known on the sea-coast 
is the Stilt, or Tilt, or Long-Shanks. They are but 
sparingly dispersed over the marshes, having, as has been 
already observed, their particular favourite spots, while in 
large intermediate tracts, there are few or none to be 
found. 
THE AMERICAN, OR REB FLAMINGO. 
(- Phoenicojpterus ruber.') 
The Flamingo of America (says Mr. Nuttall) is found 
chiefly in the tropical regions, from whence it appears to 
