BIRDS. 



357 



a particular species should rank in the group under considera- 

 tion, or in one to which it is allied by striking peculiarities 

 of structure. In the Flamingo (Fig. 280) we have the long 



ilg. :.'SU. — tLASIINGO. 



legs of the Waders combined with the webbed feet of the 

 Swimmers ; and, accordingly, a different place has been assigned 

 to it by different naturalists, as they attributed a greater or 

 less degree of importance to certain characters. Such points 

 we pretend not to determine ; we would rather mention that 

 the generic name (Phcenicopierus) means, literall}', " wings 

 of flame ;" and African travellers describe the appearance ot 

 the birds, when assembled in ranks, in a manner which bears 

 out the accm-acy of the picture presented by the poet : — 



" Flamingoes in their crimson tunics, stalk'd 

 On stately legs, with far exjiloring eye ; 

 Or fed and slept in regimental lines, 

 "Watched by their sentinels, whose clarion-screams 

 All in an instant woke the startled troop. 

 That mounted like a glorious exhalation, 

 And vanished through the welkin far away." 



MONTGOJIERTS " PeUCAN IsLA}IO.'> 



