180 NATURALIST'S CABINET, 



Singular manner of feeding. 



credit, when he asserts, that the flesh of the fla- 

 mingo is so rare, that it can be formed into a 

 luxurious entertainment. 



The flamingos, as already observed, always go 

 in flocks together; and when they change their 

 situations, they do it in nanks in the same man- 

 ner as the cranes. They are sDinetimes seen, at 

 the break of day, flying down in great numbers 

 from the mountains; and conducting each other 

 with a kind of trumpet cry, that sounds like the 

 word " tococo," from whence the savages of Ca- 

 nada gave them that name. In their flight they 

 appear to great advantage; for they then seem to 

 be of as bright a red as a burning coal. When 

 they dispose themselves to feed, they cease their 

 cry; and then they disperse over a whole marsh, 

 in silence and assiduity, Their manner of feed- 

 ing is very singular, the bird thrusts down its 

 head, so that the upper convex side of the bill 

 shall only touch the ground ; and in this position 

 the animal appears, as it were, standing upon its 

 head. 



In this manner it paddles and moves the bill 

 about, and seizes whatever fish or insect happens 

 to offer. For this purpose the upper chap is 

 notched at the edges, so as to hold its prey with 

 the greater security. Catesby, however, gives a 

 different account of their feeding; he says that 

 they thus place the upper chap undermost, and 

 so work about, in order to pick up a seed, from 

 the bottom of the watei^ that resembles millet: 



