PELECANUS. 143 
Mr. Ridgway and other American ornithologists, as it is said to differ from the true 
P. fuscus in having the gular pouch red near the base during the breeding-season, 
which is corroborated by Mr. Anthony. The eastern P. fuscus is stated to have a dark 
pouch, variously described as dull green, olive-brown, or even purple. Mr. Alvin Seale, 
a well-known Californian collector, writing to Mr. Ogilvie Grant, is inclined to doubt 
the distinctness of P. californicus, as, according to his experience, the colour of the 
pouch varies from yellowish to dusky; hence, there being a diversity of opinion on 
the subject, we have united the two supposed races under the heading of P. fuscus. 
P. fuscus is often found in considerable numbers along the Atlantic coast of Central 
America. It breeds on the islands, and Salvin visited a settlement of these birds on 
Saddle Cay, off the coast of British Honduras, on May 9th, 1862, but, though they were 
there in plenty, he could find no trace of nests in the trees in which they are said to 
build. The master of his schooner declared that the Pelicans built there in the months 
of November and December, and that as soon as the young could fly the old birds 
pulled the nests down. They sat on mangrove boughs for hours preening their feathers 
with their long hooked bills, all the time keeping their balance with ease, even when a 
strong wind tried the security of their footing. ‘There are few sea-birds more interesting 
to observe than Pelicans fishing. Four or five usually rise in company and flying 
round to get the requisite impetus and height, with neck drawn in and beak slightly 
depressed, they suddenly, as it were, stop short in the air, and dash with outstretched 
neck into the water upon the shoal of fish; on coming to the surface they rest there 
but a moment to bolt the prey, which is done by throwing the bill upwards, thus 
distending the pouch !°. 
The nests are large platforms of sticks, lined with fine roots and withered plants, 
forming a shallow basin; they are built on the mangroves, often side by side, covering 
the summit of the trees. The eggs are chalky-white, with a rosy tint when fresh, and 
measure—axis 2°85~2°95, diam. 1:9-2°0 inches. | 
2. Pelecanus erythrorhynchus. 
Pelecanus erythrorhynchus, Gm. Syst. Nat. i. p. 571 (1788)'; Scl. & Salv. Ibis, 1859, p. 233°; 
Salv. Ibis, 1865, p. 197°; Dugés, La Nat. i. p. 142+; Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. u. 
p- 316°; Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus. no. 4, p. 50°; Herrera, La Nat. (2) i. pp. 188", 330°; 
A. O. U. Check-l. N. Amer. Birds, p. 45°; Ogilvie Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxvi. 
p- 481”. 
Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, Frantz. J. f. Orn. 1869, p. 379"; Sumichr. La Nat. v. p. 235. 
Pure albus, minime cristatus; tectricibus primariorum remigibusque nigris, secundariis extus cano lavatis, 
intimis albis dorso concoloribus; mandibule lateribus dense albo plumatis: rostro aurantiaco, culmine 
pallidiore, ungue terminali tomiisque rubescentibus, mandibula basin versus rubescentiore; gula nuda 
pallide flava, basin versus aurantiaca; pedibus aurantiaco-rubris; iride margaritacea; regione nuda 
oculari aurantiaca. Long. tota circa 66:0, ale 23-0, caude 5°5, culm, 14°5, tarsi 4°85. (Descr. maris 
adulti ex Huamachal. Mus. nostr.) 
