THE FLAMINGO. 255 



extraordinary length, that, when it stands erect, it is 

 upwards of six feet high. When its wings are extend- 

 ed they measure five feet six : the bill is formed like a 

 bow, partly red and partly black, and is about seven 

 inches in length: the legs and thighs are disproportion- 

 ately small ; and the toes are united by membranes like 

 those of a goose. 



This singular bird, though formerly well known in 

 Europe, is now only prevalent along the American 

 and African coasts ; it is naturally very shy and timid ; 

 resides either near salt-water lakes and marshes, or 

 make* choice of some unfrequented place. At the 

 approach of night, they frequently quit the marshes, 

 and take up their abode on the mountain's side, 

 but return to the margin of the lakes or rivers as 

 soon as they behold the appearance of light, and 

 form themselves in a rank along their sides, which 

 often extends near half a mile. This rank, however, 

 is broken when they are in search of food ; and, 

 during that period, one of the party stands as sentinel, 

 to give instant notice if any danger should approach, 

 which he does by a shrill loud noise, equal to the 

 largest trumpets in sound. 



The tongues of this bird were once thought a great 

 delicacy ; and the Roman emperors used to consider 

 them as a most elegant dish, as we are told that one 

 of them procured fifteen hundred to be served up at 

 one of his luxurious feasts. The flesh of the young 

 ones are by some thought tolerable eating; but the 

 old birds are remarkably hard and tough. When the 

 Europeans first came to America, and coasted along 

 the African shores, they found the flamingos ex- 

 tremely gentle, and never alarmed at their approach, 

 as the negroes and native Americans had no method 



