64 
Mr Maxwell's Observations 
ance upon the upper mandible. I believe it is the Ramphastos de- 
scribed by naturalists. — Flamingo. The brilliant scarlet plumage 
of this bird produces a beautiful effect in a flock : the length of 
its legs, however, gives it rather an awkward appearance on dry 
ground ; but these, and its long neck, are absolutely necessary 
for procuring its food, which it searches for amongst reeds, in 
marshy grounds, and in pools of water. The form of the upper 
bill is well calculated for assisting it in this operation. When 
flying, the whole bird exhibits the form of a cross, whence the 
Spaniards and Portuguese call it the Bird of Christ, and there- 
fore will not suffer it to be molested in their territories. The 
islands and sand-banks of the river are frequented by vast flocks 
of Flamingos, Muscovy ducks, plovers, coots, curlews, water- 
hens, &c. — Owl. Among others, there is a small Horned Owl, 
about the size of a canary, — a very singular little bird. — Swal- 
loivs. Great numbers of these frequent Congo in September. 
They are much larger than those which visit Britain; but 
whether they migrate, or remain in some part of the country 
throughout the year, I could not ascertain. 
There is a small blue bird about the size of a linnet, which, 
from its social habits, deserves to be mentioned. It nestles in 
whole flocks upon a dwarf bushy tree, and I have sometimes 
counted to the number of flve hundred nests upon a single tree. 
One is apt at first sight to mistake them for fruit. 
Grass-cloth. — The substance of which this is manufactured, 
is prepared from the inner bark of a broad-leaved plant of the 
bamboo species. During the intervals of leisure in the hunting 
and fishing seasons, great quantities of it are collected from the 
marshy grounds ; and at the rendezvous of each party, every 
idle person is immediately set to work to prepare it For use be- 
fore the sap exhales. When completely ‘disengaged from the 
external bark, it is hung up in handfuls to, dry : — part of it is 
afterwards stained with various substances, which pi’oduce very 
vivid and lasting colours. It is then worked up into cloths 
and different pieces of dress. 
There is a small kind, chiefly used by the princes, — covered 
with raised work of great regularity, and surrounded with a 
fringed border. These are all made from the fibres before they 
are spun. The spinning is performed by the simple o[)eration 
