Flamingoes’ Nests 181
It is possible that the height of Flamingoes' nests, like that of the mud chimneys to the burrows of fiddler crabs. may depend upon the amount of rise and fall in the neighboring waters. This is a point to be ascertained by subsequent observation.
Flamingoes are wonderful birds. Their brilliant coloring and large size, habit of perching and flying in files, and the openness of the country which they inhabit. all combine to make a flock of Flamingoes one of the most remarkable sights in birdelife. Indeed, so far as my experience goes, it is the most remarkable sight in birdrlife.
They are very shy and can be approached closely only when they are unaware of your presence. Attempts to use a telephoto lens in photo- graphing birds about two hundred yards away failed because of the force of the trade-winds over the mangrove flats. Even at this distance the birds are large enough to make a strip of glowing color, in strong contrast to the blue water before, and the green mangroves behind them. This is near their danger line, and if one attempts to approach more closely without cover there is a sinuous movement along the whole line as the long, slene der necks are raised and the birds regard the cause of their alarm. Soon a murmur of goose»like bonkings comes to one's ear: then the birds begin, in slow and stately fashion. to move awaystep by step. and if their fears are not allayed the leader will soon spring into th - air and, followed by other meme bers of the flock, stretch his long neck and legs to the utmost and begin a flight which usually takes them beyond one's view. As the birds raise their wings displaying the brighter feathers below, the effect is superb be- yond description, the motion showing their plumage to the best possible advantage.
It is surprising how far, under the proper light conditions, even a small flock of Flamingoes may be seen. Long after one can distinguish the in? dividual in the waving. undulating line of birds. they show pink against the sky like a rapidly moving wisp of cloud which finally dissolves in space.
PART or A FLOCK CONTAIXIVC THIRTY-SEVEN rLMuMmEs
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