Chap. TT.] 



FLAMINGO. 



175 



life to tlie scenery that lias scarcely yet been touched by 

 the sunlight. 



VI. Gkall^. — On reaching the marshy plains and shal- 

 low lagoons on either side of the island, the astonishment 

 of the stranger is excited by the endless multitudes of stilt- 

 birds and waders which stand in long array within the 

 wash of the water, or sweep in vast clouds above it. Ibises ^, 

 storks ^, egrets, spoonbills ^, herons \ and the smaller races 

 of sand larks and plovers, are seen busily traversing the 

 wet sand, in search of the red worm which burrows 

 there, or peering with steady eye to watch the motions 

 of the small fry and aquatic insects in the ripple on the 

 shore. 



Vn. Anseees. — Preeminent in size and beauty, the tall 

 flamingoes ^, with rose-coloured plumage, hne the beach in 

 long files. The Singhalese have been led, from their co- 

 lour and their military order, to designate them the 

 " English Soldier birds.'" Nothing can be more startling 

 than the sudden flight of these splendid creatures when 

 alarmed ; their strong wings beating the an* sound like 

 distant thunder ; and as they soar over head, the flock 

 which appeared almost white but a moment before, is con- 

 verted mto crimson by the sudden display of the red 

 lining of their wings. A peculiarity in the beak of the 

 flamingo has scarcely attracted due attention, as a striking 

 illustration of creative wisdom in adapting the organs of 

 animals to their local necessities. The upper mandible, 

 which is convex in other birds, is in them flattened, 

 whilst the lower, instead of being flat, is convex. To 

 those who have had an opportunity of witnessing the 

 action of the bhxl in its native haunts, the expediency of 

 this arrangement is at once apparent. The flamingo, to 

 counteract the extraordinary length of its legs, is provided 



^ Tantalus leucocephaliis, and Ibis 

 falcinellus. 



«The violet-headed Stork (Ci- 

 conia leucocephala). 



* Platalea leucorodia, Linn. 



* Ardea cinerea. A, purpurea. 

 ^ Plicenicopterus roseus^ Pallas. 



