ernment has taken over the protection of flamingos they do not appear
on the bill-of-fare very often. However, they are gradually dying off or
they are seeking new homes more inaccessible to mankind.

Once very numerous throughout the Bahamas, they were
captured in such great numbers that at present flocks are found only
among the inland salt ponds and marshes of Inagua and Abaco.
Breeding places were raided of hundreds of eggs, gathered for feed, and
great numbers of young birds were killed before they could fly. The
larger birds were killed for their feathers, or they were captured alive and
sold to passing vessels.

The native home of the American flamingo is on the tropical
coasts and islands from the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and Yucatan to Brazil
and the Galapagos Islands. In 1832 the famous bird authority,
Audubon, found many flamingos not only at Indian Key but as far north
as Pensacola. He was never able to prove, however, that the birds bred
in the state. Twenty-five years later about 100 birds were captured in
the shallow waters about Indian Key. A flock, estimated at 500 birds,
was discovered and, as they were moulting [sic] at the time, were unable
to fly.

Like Audubon, many people thought the birds propagated along
the southern coast of Florida, but careful search has failed to reveal
definite signs of a nesting colony. It is probable that the