344 



THE SACRED IBIS. 



ones are able to fly j out they ean pravioasly run witli amazing- swift- 

 ness. They are sometimes ctmgKt at this age; and, very different front 

 the okl ouesj they sjiffer themselves to be carried away, and are easily 

 tamed. Id, five or six dxtys. they bc<;oni* familiar,, and will even eat ont 

 ©f the Land; laid they drink a siirprismg ^uaa^ty of sea-water. But^ 

 lh«i>itglt easily rendered domes tic^ it is diJlieuh to rear them; as they 

 are apt to decline, fron^i the "want of their Batural food. 



Flamingoes are oftea mefe with m the wai'mef parts of the Old Con- 

 t!:&eni5; and^exeepfe in the breedang-time, tliey are generally found in 

 great flocks. Whea seen at a distance^ they appear like a regiment 

 of soldiers; being oftea ranged alongside of one another ©li th.e 



KI AlISNOOF.a- ON 1>HErR aCESTS, 



l>orders of rivers, searching for food, which consists principally of 

 gmall fish and water-insects : these they take by plunging the Hill and 

 part of the head into the water ; and from tinrie to time trampling the 

 bottoca with their feet, to disturb the mud in order to raise up thei? 

 prey. In feeding, they are said to twist tkeir neck in such a manner, 

 ikat the upper part of the bill is applied to the ground. 



These beautiful birds were much esteemed by the Romans, who 

 mffcen used them in their grand sacrifices and' sumptiious entertain- 

 >aent3. Their flesh is thought tolerably good foo<l ; and the tongue was 

 {tonsidered by the ancients as among the most delicate of all eatablea 

 .?linj, Martial, and many other writers speak of it in high terms of 

 commendation. 



