Chap. VIII.] 
FLAMINGO. 
261 
tall flamingoes \, with rose-coloured plumage, line the 
beach in long files. The Singhalese have been led, from 
their colour and their military order, to designate them 
the "English Soldier birds." Nothing can be more 
startling than the sudden flight of these splendid creatures 
when alarmed ; their strong wings beating the air with a 
sound like distant thunder ; and as they soar over head, 
the flock which appeared almost white but a moment 
before, is converted into crimson by the sudden display 
of the red lining of their wings. A peculiarity in the 
beak of this bird has scarcely attracted the attention it 
FLAMINGO, 
merits, as a striking illustration of creative wisdom in 
adapting the organs of animals to their local necessities. 
1 Phoenicopteras roseus, Pallas. 
s 3 
