BIRDS. 373 



a particular species should rank in the group under considera- 

 tion, or in one to which it is allied by striking peculiarities 

 of structure. In the Flamingo (Fig. 279) we have the long 



Fig. 279. FLAMINGO. 



legs of the Waders combined with the webbed feet of the 

 Swimmers; and, accordingly, a different place has been assigned 

 to it by different naturalists, as they attributed a greater or 

 less degree of importance to certain characters. Such points 

 we pretend not to determine; we would rather mention that 

 the generic name (Phcenicopterus) means, literally, " wings 

 of flame;" and African travellers describe the appearance of 

 the birds, when assembled in ranks, in a manner which bears 

 out the accuracy of the picture presented by the poet: 



" Flamingoes, in their crimson tunics, stalk'd 

 On stately legs, with far exploring eye ; 

 Or fed and slept in regimental lines, 

 Watch'd by their sentinels, whose clarion-screams 

 All in an instant woke the startled troop, 

 That mounted like a glorious exhalation, 

 And vanished through the welkin far away." 



MONTGOMERY'S " PELICAN ISLAND." 

 H2 



