140 On the Kath of the Ancient Hebretvs, 



Kath, the original term for pelican, is taken from kae, to 

 vomit, and it is undoubtedly given to this bird, from its throw- 

 ing up the food, which it has lodged in the large pouch under 

 the lower mandible. This can be distended so much as to 

 admit the heads of two men ; and it is found to be a most con- 

 venient receptacle for the food which this bird collects for 

 itself and its young. 



Many of the ancients have said that the proper food of this 

 bird is shellfish, which it swallows, and throws up when the 

 heat of its stomach has opened the shells. 



In all probability, however, what it collects of shellfish goes 

 no farther than the pouch ; and continues in the pouch till the 

 seams are opened with its heat. Then the fishes are thrown 

 out, and the bird picks out the flesh, and leaves the shells. 



That shellfish is its food is somewhat questionable. As it 

 seeks its food over the sea, far from the shore, and also fre- 

 quents rivers and fresh-water lakes, it is more likely that fish 

 without shells is its ordinary food ; and this certainly will be 

 more easily managed, if not more quickly digested. 



When it wants to dislodge what is laid up in the pouch, it 

 presses its bill against it, and part or all of what it contains is 

 brought out. To accomplish this purpose considerable effort 

 is required, but to this the bird is accustomed. 



From this striking acl;ion has arisen the fable among the an- 

 cients, that the pelican pierced her own breast, and nourished 

 her young with her blood, and on that account it became as 

 celebrated for maternal, as the stork for filial, affection. 



This story, like many others, rests upon no solid foundation ; 

 but the idea was natural enough to imperfect and astonished 

 observers ; and such, we suspect, has been the character, more 

 or less, of all the ancient naturalists. 



The action, however, which is so remarkable in this bird, 

 shows the propriety and force of the Hebrew term by which it 

 is named, kath being the vomiter or vomiting bird. 



The action of vomiting, or throwing up the contents of the 

 pouch or gizzard, &c., is common to this bird, and most of the 

 gull tribe, when they are pursued ; but, as the pelican does so 

 of its own accord, it more strictly deserves this title than any 

 of the gulls. 



The pouch in question is not only to be considered as a re- 

 pository for the fish caught, but as a net for catching it. The 

 remark is made by Shaw the traveller, and if true the bird must 

 have the art of dilating, as well as placing it in such a manner 

 as to intercept the fish swimming around it. 



The manner, however, in which the pelican fishes, does not 

 render this account very probable. For this purpose the bird 



