104 FLAMINGO. 



than six or seven young. It is easily caught by a call 

 which is formed to Imitate the voice of the female. 



Quail fighting was a favourite diversion among the 

 Athenians ; but they abstained from eating the flesh. 

 Modern manners have reversed the sentiments of mankind 

 in regard to this bird : its flesh is now deemed a peculiar 

 delicacy, while its courage is disregarded. Of this bird 

 there are different species or varieties. 



THE FLAMINGO. 



THIS is a tall, bulky, and most beautiful bird. The body 

 which is of a vivid scarlet, is about the size of a swan ; 

 but the legs and neck are of such extraordinary length, 

 that when it stands erect, it is upwards of six feet high. 



This extraordinary bird, it seems, was one known on all 

 the coasts of Europe, but is chiefly now found in America, 

 and some parts of Africa. Its magnitude, its beauty, and 

 the peculiar delicacy of its flesh, when young, have afforded 

 so many incitements for its destruction, that it has long 

 abandoned the shores frequented by man, and taken refuge 

 where he seldom intrudes. In some of the wild and 

 solitary tracts of America it lives in a state of society, and 

 under a polity which excites at once our veneration and 

 wonder. 



The Flamingo chiefly delights in the vicinity of salt- 

 water lakes, and swampy islands. In the day-time, they 

 come do-vn to the mouths of rivers ; but towards night 

 retire more inland to secure themselves from annoyance. 

 When they suffer themselves to be seen by mariners, they 

 always appear drawn up in a close line of two or three 

 hundred together ; and, according to Dampier, exhibit at 

 the distance of half a mile, the exact representation of a 

 a long brick wall. When they seek for food, their ranks 

 are broken ; yet not before they have stationed one of the 

 number as a watch, whose sole employment it is to give 

 the signal of approaching danger. As soon as the faithful 

 centinel perceives the remotest signs of annoyance, he 

 screams with a voice as loud as a trumpet, and instantly 

 the whole flock are on the wing. 



