

THE FLAMINGO. 177 



Remarks by Daiupier, Labat, and Buffon. 



principally of small fish, and water insects. 

 These they take by plunging the bill and part of 

 the head into water, and from time to time tram- 

 pling the bottom with their feet to disturb the 

 mud, in order to raise up their prey. In feed- 

 ing, they twist their neck in such a manner, that 

 the upper part of the bill is applied to the ground ; 

 but of this we shall treat, hereafter. 



Notwithstanding Dam pier, and others, assert, 

 that the flamingo at present avoids the human 

 race with the most cautious timidity, it is cer- 

 tainly not from any antipathy to man that they 

 shun his society, for in some villages, as Labat 

 declares, along the coast of Africa, the flamingos 

 come in great numbers to make their residence 

 among the natives. There they assemble by 

 thousands, perched on the trees, within and about 

 the villages; and are so very clamorous, that the 

 sound is heard at near a mile distance. The ne- 

 groes are fond of their company; and consider 

 their society as a gift of heaven, and a protection 

 from accidental evils. They feed, protect, and 

 endeavour to render them every possible assist- 

 ance. " But my countrymen," says M. de Buf- 

 fon, " who are admitted to this part of the coast, 

 cannot, without some degree of discontent, see 

 such quantities of game, and that of the most 

 delicate kind, remain untouched, and rendered 

 useless by the superstition of the. natives; they 

 therefore take every opportunity of killing them, 

 when they find themselves unobserved, and at a 



VOL. iv. NO. 26. z 



