of the Pelecanus Aqmlus of Linnn us, ,5 



the intermediate degrees of expansion. By spreading or con- 

 tracting, raising or depressing these feathers, the bird is enabled 

 to throw itself with the greatest velocity towards the surface of 

 the water, and to seize substances on or near it, by the help of 

 its long neck and beak, with the utmost precision, without im- 

 mersing its body. The mechanism by which this action is per- 

 formed will be explained when I speak of some of the most im- 

 portant points of its anatomy. 



It has also another mode of supplying itself with food. Jt is 

 seen accompanying flocks of sea-birds, chiefly the Pelecanus Pis- 

 cator : as soon as these have dived after fish, and begin to ascend 

 with their prey in the beak, it attacks them, and seizes what they 

 have taken. Wherever a number of these birds are collected 

 on or near the water, they are invariably accompanied by some 

 Frigate-birds, which hover directly over them, or follow them 

 in their flight. Their food consists almost entirely of fish, and 

 chiefly of the Exocoetus volitans, or flying-fish, which are the most 

 accessible to them ; though they probably occasionally feed on 

 such of the Mollusca as come within their reach ; and will also 

 seize pieces of pork, fowl's entrails, or any animal substance 

 thrown to them. A young one, covered with down, without 

 any appearance of feathers, except the primores of the wings, 

 and unable to move, when taken vomited seven flying-fish; and 

 the stomach and intestines of all those opened were full of the 

 bones of small fish. 



The female deposits one egg, of a white colour, nearly re- 

 sembling a hen's egg, though somewhat larger. The male bird 

 sits, — a fact clearly established, as one was absolutely taken by 

 the hand when sitting. At this time the female is employed in 

 searching for food : at least this appears probable, from the cir- 

 cumstance of all the male birds being taken on shore, while the 

 females were shot at sea ; besides the great proportion of the lat- 

 ter 



