Letter: Letters: Stick in the mud

From PETER VERSTAGE, RICHARD CHANDLER

If Kathy Marthan (Letters, 27 July) were to observe her flamingos for
any length of time, she would note that not only do they alternate from
one leg to the other, but also that there is an inverse correlation between
the frequency of this alternation and the firmness of the river bed on which
they are standing.

The answer is, of course, that if they stand with both legs in the mud
for a long period they run the risk of getting stuck. By changing legs before
they sink in too far, this risk is eliminated.

Peter Verstage London SW12

* * *

In answer to Kathy Marthan, the reason flamingos stand on one leg is
because if they didn’t they would fall over.

Richard Chandler Caldicot, Gwent, Wales