. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. STORKS, HERONS, AND PELICAN TRIBE 53. thuto by Knight FLAMINGOES On account of the siuan-like neck and " strainers^' along the edges of the heak, these HrJi hnv, been regarded as long-legged members of the Duck Tribe, but thcs seem more ncarlf related to th> lytorks that before they are hatched the water lias disappeared, leaving a burning plain uf sun-baked mud. On the top iif this nest the parent sits with its long neck neatl\' curled away among the back- feathers, w
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. STORKS, HERONS, AND PELICAN TRIBE 53. thuto by Knight FLAMINGOES On account of the siuan-like neck and " strainers^' along the edges of the heak, these HrJi hnv, been regarded as long-legged members of the Duck Tribe, but thcs seem more ncarlf related to th> lytorks that before they are hatched the water lias disappeared, leaving a burning plain uf sun-baked mud. On the top iif this nest the parent sits with its long neck neatl\' curled away among the back- feathers, with its long legs doubled up, and projecting behind her for some dis- tance beyond the tail. Until quite recently it was believed that the bird incu- bated its eggs b}' sitting astride the nest, the length of the legs forbidding any other position: this has now been pro\'ed be\'ond cavil to be an entirely erroneous opinion. The eggs, \.\\ o in number, are peculiar in that they are encased in a thick outer chalky coat, which on removal reveals a greenish-blue shell. The characteristic crooked beak of the adult is not at all apparent in the )'oung bird, and only appears as it approaches maturit\-. The huge flocks in which these birds consort are graphically described by Mr. Abel Chapman as follows: " In herds of 300 to 400, several of which are often in sight at once, they stand feeding in the open water, all their heads under, greedil)' tearing up the grasses and water-plants from the bottom. On approaching them, which can only be done by extreme caution, their silence is first _ , broken by the sentries, who commence walking away with low croaks ; then hundreds of necks rise at once to full extent, every bird gaggling its loudest, as they walk obliquely away, looking back over their shoulders, as though to take stock of the extent of the danger. Pushing a few )'ards forward, up the)' all rise, and a more beautiful sight cannot be imagined than the simultaneous spreading of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
