THE FLAMINGO.. 315 



resembling in colour and size those of a goose. The 

 time of incubation is one month; and after the exclu- 

 iion of the young, the parent bird is extremely soli- 

 citous for their safety, which, however, is seldom en- 

 dangered, being universally protected by popular 

 prejudice, which indeed is seldom so well founded as 

 in relation to this bird; for as it destroys great num- 

 bers of noxious reptiles, it is almost everywhere held 

 in esteem. 



There are few towns on the continent, at least 

 where the situation is low and marshy, that have not 

 the stork as an inmate, and every where it is a favorite 

 of the people. There is certainly something amiable 

 in prejudices which inspire the breast with sentiments 

 of humanity. 



I shall now proceed to the second class, in.to which 

 I have, according to general custom, divided the pro- 

 digious variety of aquatic birds which frequent the 

 shores of the ocean, ,and those of river.s and lakes, or 

 enliven the dreary solitude of bogs and morassed. 



With every wish for your health and happiness, 

 I am, dear Sir, 



Yonr's, &c. 



LETTER L. 



" From man retir'd, amid the lonely marsh, 

 Flamingoes build and tend their curious nests." 



DEAR SIR, 



JL SHALL now select for your entertainment and in- 

 struction, the most remarkable of those water fowl, 

 which are commonly denominated the goose kind, 

 and of which the distinguishing characteristic -is a' 

 membranous web, connecting the toes^ which greatly 

 facilitates their swimming. Here we cannot but ob- 

 serve the curious adaptation of their mechanism to 

 the mode of life for which they are designed. Their 

 toes, thus joined, serve them as oars; and their legs, 

 being short, are not less judiciously constructed for 



