THE PELICAN OF AFRICA* 3l7 



are not much thicker than a man's finger, are about 

 two feet and three quarters long, and its neck more 

 than three feet, and the toes are united with a web 

 like those of a goose. 



This extraordinary fowl, although once well known 

 in Europe, is now found only on the African and 

 American coasts. Its beauty, its size, and the pecu- 

 liar delicacy of its flesh and tongue, have been such 

 temptations to its destruction or capture, that it has 

 long since deserted the shores frequented by men, 

 and taken refuge in those that yet are but thinly peo- 

 pled. 



The tongue of this bird was once thought the 

 .greatest of delicacies. The Romans considered it as 

 the most elegant dish; and history informs us, that 

 one of their emperors had fifteen hundred of them 

 served up at one of his feasts. 



The flamingo builds its nest in extensive marshes, 

 where there is no danger of surprise ; and the fabric 

 is as* great a curiosity as the architect. It is raised 

 about a foot and a half above the surface of the pool, 

 and is formed of mud which is hardened in the sun 

 It resembles the frustrum of a cone, or one of those 

 pots which are commonly placed upon chimnies. On. 

 the top it is hollowed out to the shape of the bird, 

 and in that cavity the female deposits her eggs, 

 which never exceeds two in number. The young 

 ones are a long time before they can fly ; but they 

 run with amazing speed. When taken young, they 

 are tractable and easily tamed. 



THE PELICAN OF AFRICA 



is a bird which merits, and has indeed in all ages at- 

 tracted the attention of the naturalist. It is frequent- 

 ly mentioned in the allusions of eastern writers, and 

 often introduced in the sacred writings, as the emblem 

 of solitude, of silence and sorrow. In colour and 

 shape it resembles the swan, but far exceeds it in size. 

 The singularity which peculiarly distinguishes this 

 bird, consists in the great pouch under its bill, which 

 merits x a particular description, especially as it has 

 givea rise to a variety of 4'ables. 

 3 



