AVES—FLAMINGO 639 
But at present it is very different in that part of the world; and the fla- 
mingo is not only one of the scarcest, but one of the shyest birds in the 
world, and the most difficult of approach. They chiefly keep near the most 
deserted and inhospit»ble shores; near salt water lakes and swampy islands. 
When seen by mari’ rs in the day, they always appear drawn up in a long 

close line of two or three hundred together ; and, as Dampier tells us, present 
at the distance of half a mile, the exact representation of a long brick wall. 
This line, 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. The flesh of the old ones is black and hard, though, 
Dampier says, well tasted; that of the young ones is better. But, of all 
delicacies, the flamingo’s tongue is the most celebrated. In fact, the 
Roman emperors considered them asthe highest luxury ; and we have an 
account of one of them, who procured fifteen hundred flamingos’ tongues 
to be served up in asingle dish The tongue of this bird, which was so 
