or Flamingo, in ornithology, a genus of birds belonging to the order of grallae. The beak is naked, toothed, and bent as if it was broken; the nostrils are linear; the feet are palmed, and four-toed. There is but one species; viz. the Bahamensis of Catesby, a native of Africa and America.

This bird resembles the heron in shape, excepting the bill, which is of a very singular form. It is two years old before it arrives at its perfect colour; and then it is entirely red, excepting the quill-feathers, which are black. A full-grown one is of equal weight with a wild duck; and when it stands erect, it is five feet high. The feet are webbed. The flesh is delicate; and most resembles that of a partridge in taste. The tongue, above any other part, was in the highest esteem with the luxurious Romans. These birds make their nests on hillocks in shallow water; on which they sit with their legs extended down, like a man sitting on a stool. They breed on the coasts of Cuba, and the Bahama islands in the West Indies; and frequent salt-water only. By reason of the particular shape of its bill, this bird, in eating, twists its neck from side to side, and makes the upper mandible touch the ground. These birds are very stupid, and will not rise at the report of a gun; nor is it any warning to those who survive, that they see others killed by their side; so that, by keeping himself out of a fight, a fowler may kill as many as he pleases.