FLOCK OF PINK WINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19198, 14 June 1924, Page 10

FLOCK OF PINK WINGS.

FLAMINGOS FOR LONDON. SUCCESSFUL SEA VOYAGE. A record consignment of 230 flamingos has just reached London from Egypt, imported by Mr G. Bruce Chapman, live stock dealer, of Tottenham Court road. Tho rose coloured birds may be said to hove arrived literally in tho “ pink ” of condition, for they feasted lavishly on large quantities of shrimps, which, with sacks of wheat and biscuit meal, were shipped with them for consumption during- the voyage. It is customary for flamingos, which habitually consort in largo flocks, to sleep standing upon one leg, but whether they were able to accomplish this feat on a rolling ship is extremely doubtful. The flamingo is the only member of the stork tribe which builds a mud nest, and, until comparatively recently, it was believed that, owing to the length of its legs, the bird incubated its eggs by sitting astride the nest. But it had been proved beyond doubt that the parent sits with its legs doubled up. Perhaps this is how they adapted themselves to the unusual conditions of shipboard life. Upon arrival, the travellers were unpacked and allowed to take exercise, as about half of them had to continue their journey to various Continental menageries. The remainder are destined for the T>ublin and Paignton Zoos, or for the estates of private individuals, where they will be liberated to grace ornamental waters.