332 HISTORY OF 



But at present it is very different in that part 

 of the world ; and the flamingo is not only one of 

 the scarcest, but of the shyest birds in the world, 

 and the most difficult of approach. They chiefly 

 keep near the most deserted and inhospitable 

 shores ; near salt water lakes and swampy islands. 

 They come down to the banks of rivers by day ; 

 and often retire to the inland mountainous parts 

 of the country at the approach of night. When 

 seen by mariners in the day, they always appear 

 drawn up in a long close line of two or three 

 hundred together ; and, as Dampier tells us, pre- 

 sent, at the distance of half a mile, the exact re- 

 presentation of a long brick wall. Their rank, 

 however, is broken when they seek for food ; but 

 they always appoint one of the number as a watch, 

 whose only employment is to observe and give 

 notice of danger, while the rest are feeding. As 

 soon as this trusty sentinel perceives the remotest 

 appearance of danger, he gives a loud scream, 

 with a voice as shrill as a trumpet, and instantly 

 the whole cohort are upon the wing. They feed 

 in silence, but upon this occasion all the flock 

 are in one chorus, and fill the air with intolerable 

 screamings. 



From this it appears that the flamingos are very 

 difficult to be approached at present, and that 

 they avoid mankind with the most cautious timi- 

 dity ; however, it is not from any antipathy to 

 man that they shun his society, for in some vil- 

 lages, as we are assured by Labat, along the coast 

 of Africa, the flamingos come in great numbers to 

 make their residence among the natives. There 



