70 THE FLAMINGO. 



peculiarly warm, thick-set, and unguentous, and every way cal- 

 culated to resist the attrition of the water, and prevent its pene- 

 trating to their skins. 



Before we proceed in our survey of this numerous and use- 

 ful class, it may not be amiss to observe, that there are two or 

 three species, among which may be reckoned the coot, and the 

 water-hen birds, too well known to need a particular description, 

 and which have neither the long legs of the crane kind, nor the 

 web-foot of the duck kind ; but are distinguished by their pin- 

 nated or finned feet, which are furnished with jagged mem- 

 branes, in order to assist them in swimming, although not so 

 perfectly adapted to that purpose as the web-foot of the goose 

 or the duck. These appear to be an intermediate race between 

 the long-legged and the web-footed classes. 



Nature, in the immense variety of her works, proceeds by 

 regular gradations ; thereby producing that infinite diversity of 

 forms and colours which variegate her scenery, and excite our 

 admiration. 



THE FLAMINGO 



Is one of the most remarkable of all water-fowl : it is one of 

 the tallest and most beautiful. Its body, which is about the size 

 of that of the swan, is covered with a plumage of the most bril- 

 liant scarlet colour. Its legs and neck are of so extraordinary 

 a length, that when it stands erect, it is between six and seven 

 feet high. Its wings, when expanded, reach about five feet and 

 a half: the bill, which is formed like a bow, is partly red and 

 partly black, and not less than seven inches in length. The legs 

 and thighs, which are not much thicker than a man's finger, 

 are about two feet and three quarters long, and its neck more 

 than three feet ; and the toes are united with a web like those 

 of a goose. 



This extraordinary fowl, although once well known in Europe, 

 is now found only on the African and American coasts. Its 

 beauty, its size, and the peculiar delicacy of its flesh and tongue, 

 have been such temptations to its destruction or capture, that it 

 has long since deserted the shores frequented by men, and taken 

 refuge in those that yet are but thinly peopled. 



The tongue of this bird was once thought the greatest of deli- 

 cacies. The Romans considered it as the most elegant dish ; 

 and history informs us, that one of their emperors had fifteen 

 hundred of them served up at one of his feasts. 



When the Europeans first visited America and the southern 

 coasts of Africa, they found the flamingoes on the shores of each 

 continent, perfectly gentle, and not in the least distrustful of 

 mankind. When the fowler discharged his piece among them, 



