Y o u n g ,
other bird : the length, from the end of the bill to that of the tail,
is four feet two or three inches ; but to the end of the claws fomc-
times meafures more than fix feet. The bill is four inches and a
quarter long, and of a conftrudtion different from that of any other
bird j the upper mandible very thin and flat, and fomewhat move-
able ; the under thick; both of them bending downwards from the
middle: the noftrils are linear, and placed in a blackifh membrane:
the end of the bill, as far as the bend, is black, from thence to the
bafe reddifh yellow; round the bafe, quite to the eye, covered
with a flefh-coloured cere : the neck is {lender, and of a great
length : the tongue large, flefhy, filling the cavity of the bill;
furnifhed with twelve or more hooked papilla; on each fide, turning
backwards; the tip a fharp cartilaginous fubftance. The
bird, when in full plumage, is wholly of a moft beautiful deep fcar-
let *, except the quills, which are black: from the bafe of the
thigh to the claws meafures thirty-two inches, of which the
feathered part takes up no more than three inches; the bare part
above the knee thirteen inches; and from thence to the claws
fixteen : the colour of the bare parts is red; and the toes
are furnifhed with a web, as in the Duck genus, but is deeply indented.
Thefe birds do not gain their full plumage till the third year.
In the firft they are of a greyifh white for the moft part; the fe-
cond of a clearer white, tinged with red, or rather rofe-colour,
but the wings and fcapulars are red; in the third year a general
glowing fcarlet manifefts itfelf throughout: the bill and legs
alfo keep pace with the gradation of colour in the plumage,
• Thofc of AfrUa faid to be deepeft coloured,
thefe
thefe parts changing to their colours by degrees, as the bird approaches
to an adult ftate.
Flamingoes prefer a warm climate: in the old continent not P l a c e a n d
■ r , . r , „ . M a n n e r s . often met with beyond 40 degrees north or fcruth. Every where
feen on the African coaft and adjacent ifles, quite to the Cape of
Good Hope * ; and now and then on the coafts of Spain f , Italy,
and thofe of France lying in the Mediterranean Sea; being at
times met with at Marjeill.es, and for forne way up the Rhone.
In fome feafons frequent Aleppo J and parts adjacent. Seen alfo
on the Perftan fide of the Cafpian Sea, and from thence along the
•wefiern coaft, as far as the Wolga; though this at uncertain times,
and chiefly in confiderable flocks, coming from the north-eaft,
moftly in OElober and November; but fo foon as the wind changes
they totally difappear §. They breed in the Cape Verd ifles, particularly
’in that of Sal ||. The neft is of a Angular conftrudtion,
made of mud, in fhape of an hillock, with a cavity at top; in this
the female lays generally two white eggs**, of the fize of thofe
of a Goofe, but more elongated. The hillock is of fuch an height
as to admit of the bird’s fitting on it conveniently, or rather
Handing, as the legs are placed one on each fide at full length t t -
The young cannot fly till full grown, but run very faft.
* In Zte Comu river.— Phil. Tran/.-----Once plenty in the IJle of France.— Foy.
to Mauritius, p. 66,
+ About Valencia, in the lake Albufere.— Dillon Frau. p. 374.
% Rujf. Alep. p. 69. § Decouv, Ruff. ii. p. 248.
|| Damp. Voy. i. p. 70.
•* They never lay more than threet and feldom fewer.— Phil. Tranf*
Sometimes will lay the eggs on a projecting part of a low rocky if it be
placed fufliciently convenient fo as to admit of the legs being placed one on eaeh
Ude.— Linn*
Flamingoes.