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 palmated, 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. They 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 sight, a fowler may kill as many as he pleases.

These birds prefer a warm climate. In the old Latlam's continent they are not often met with beyond 40 degrees north or south. They are met with everywhere on the African coast and adjacent isles, to the Cape of Good Hope; and sometimes on the coasts of Spain, Italy, and those of France lying in the Mediterranean Sea; being at times found at Marfeilles, and for some way up the Rhone. In some seasons they frequent Aleppo and the parts adjacent. They are seen also on the Persian side of the Caspian Sea, and from thence along the western coast as far as the Volga; tho' this is at uncertain times, and chiefly in considerable flocks coming from the north-east, mostly in October and November; but so soon as the wind changes they totally disappear. They breed in the Cape Verd isles, particularly in that of Sal. They go for the most part together in flocks, except in breeding time. Dampier says, that, with two more in company, he killed 14 at once, which was effected by secreting themselves; Phoenix for they are so very shy, that they will by no means suffer any one to approach openly near enough to shoot them.

Kolben tells us, that they are very numerous at the Cape; keeping in the day on the borders of the lakes and rivers, and lodging themselves at night in the long grass on the hills. They are also common to various places in the warmer parts of America, frequenting the same latitudes as in other quarters of the world, being found at Peru, Chili, Cayenne, and the coast of Brazil, as well as the various islands of the West Indies. Sloane found them in Jamaica; but particularly at the Bahama Islands and at Cuba, where they breed. When seen at a distance, they appear as a regiment of soldiers, being ranged alongside one another, on the borders of the rivers, searching for food; which chiefly consists of small fish or the eggs of them; and of water-insects, which they search after by plunging in the bill and part of the head, from time to time trampling with their feet to muddy the water, that their prey may be raised from the bottom. Whilst they are feeding, one of them is said to stand sentinel, and the moment he sounds the alarm the whole flock takes wing. This bird, when at rest, stands on one leg, the other being drawn up close to the body, with the head placed under the wing on that side of the body it stands on.

They are sometimes caught young, and are brought up tame; but are always impatient of cold; and in this state will seldom live a great while, gradually losing their colour, flesh, and appetite, and dying for want of that food which in a state of nature at large they were abundantly supplied with.